Two Different Paths.
Twice the Perspective.
Zero Sugarcoating.
Because there's more than one way to become
a great veterinarian.
We're two veterinarians who have taken different paths through the profession, but share one mission:
helping veterinary students and new graduates
build careers they're proud of.
We've experienced the exciting moments, overwhelming days, and unexpected detours. We're here to share what we've learned, not because we've figured everything out, but because we've learned a thing or two worth passing on.
Your vet med besties.
Real talk included.
MEET YOUR VET MED BESTIES
Meet Dr. Monica Tarantino, DVM, MBA
Veterinarian. Entrepreneur. Author. National Speaker.
Monica graduated from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014
and has spent twelve years in small animal veterinary medicine, building a career that
brings together clinical practice, leadership, education, and entrepreneurship.
After serving as Chief of Staff of a busy general practice in Charlotte, North Carolina,
she co-founded the Senior Dog Veterinary Society. As CEO, she helps advance the care
of aging dogs through education, certification, and practical resources.
Her work in senior and geriatric medicine includes published reviews on frailty and
age-related sensory decline, plus contributions to the first guidelines for diagnosing
and monitoring canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome published in JAVMA. She's
also a national speaker and co-author of the New Vet Jumpstart Guide series.
Monica's bestie superpower: Helping you see the possibilities. She brings clinical experience, practice leadership, research, specialized education, entrepreneurship,
and the belief that your veterinary career can evolve in ways you never imagined.
Meet Dr. Ashley Gray, DVM
Veterinarian. Medical Leader. Author. National Speaker.
Ashley knows the leap from vet student to practicing veterinarian isn't always smooth.
She's passionate about making it a little easier for the next generation.
After graduating from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014,
she completed a postgraduate internship and built a career in general practice and emergency medicine. As Medical Director of a 24/7 veterinary hospital, she combined
clinical medicine with team leadership, mentorship, and helping veterinarians grow.
Today, Ashley works part-time as a national speaker and serves as Public Relations Coordinator for the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association. She's also a mom
of two, a proud pet parent, co-founder of Vets on the Rise, and coauthor of the New
Vet Jumpstart Guide series.
Ashley's bestie superpower: Helping you find your footing. She brings ER experience, clinical leadership, honest mentorship, professional advocacy, and a reminder that your career should fit your life, not the other way around.
Different Experiences. Shared Lessons.
Better Conversations.
One of us expanded into entrepreneurship, research, and specialized education.
The other grew through internship training, emergency medicine, medical leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. Together, we've seen veterinary medicine from different angles.
Two perspectives. More possibilities.
There's no single perfect career path. We bring different experiences and personalities
to help you discover what success can look like for you.
Real tools. Honest encouragement.
Confidence doesn't arrive with your diploma, and leadership doesn't require all the answers. We pair practical knowledge with the stories and lessons we wish someone had shared with us.
Big bestie energy. Zero sugarcoating.
We're here for the clinical questions, career detours, and “is it just me?” moments.
Expect support, honest conversations, and a few laughs along the way.
Why We Started Vets on the Rise
We remember the excitement of earning the degree and the responsibility, fear of getting something wrong, and pressure to know everything that came next. Veterinary school gave us an incredible foundation. It couldn't prepare us for every situation we'd face.
We created Vets on the Rise to bridge that gap. Through our books, course, free educational resources, mentorship, and speaking engagements, we support the next generation through those first important years.
Our mission: help you become a more confident, happier, more resilient,
and more empowered veterinarian.
You don't have to figure it all out alone. Your vet med besties are right here!