Meet Liz Mccalley

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liz Mccalley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liz below.

Liz, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I discovered my purpose—to become a veterinarian—when I was 13. After years of asking my parents for a dog, they finally agreed, and we adopted Coco, a small mixed-breed puppy from the Fort Worth Animal Shelter. Shortly after bringing her home, it became clear that something was wrong. Coco had a persistent cough, was vomiting, and had green discharge from her eyes and nose. Concerned, my mom and I took her to the vet, where she was prescribed antibiotics. Unfortunately, after finishing the course, Coco still wasn’t improving. My mom gently prepared me for the possibility that she might not recover.

Unwilling to accept this, I started researching Coco’s symptoms and came across information suggesting a different antibiotic might be more effective. I brought this up to her vet, who agreed to try the new treatment. To our relief, Coco made a full recovery and transformed into the lively puppy we had hoped for.

Playing such a pivotal role in her recovery solidified my desire to pursue veterinary medicine, and from that moment, I knew it was my calling.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the proud owner and founder of ZumiVet. ZumiVet is a mobile veterinary practice that brings the clinic directly to your home. While we don’t perform surgeries or x-rays, we offer a wide range of services that you’d typically find in a brick-and-mortar veterinary clinic. From new puppy exams and vaccinations to diagnosing and managing chronic conditions in senior pets, we provide comprehensive care, all in the comfort of your pet’s familiar surroundings.

What makes ZumiVet special is the personalized experience. Receiving care at home significantly reduces stress for both pets and their owners, leading to a more relaxed, thorough examination. Pet parents also benefit from more one-on-one time with the veterinarian, allowing for deeper discussions about their pet’s health. Additionally, being able to observe your pet in their home environment gives us valuable insights that can further improve their care.

At ZumiVet, we treat both pets and their families like our own, and we are committed to creating a warm, welcoming experience that’s as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The first quality that had the greatest impact on my journey was my ability to stay focused on the bigger picture. Becoming a veterinarian and then a business owner is a long and challenging path, and there were many times when I struggled—both academically and financially. It would have been easy to give up, but keeping my purpose and goals front and center helped me push through those tough moments. My advice to anyone starting out is to define your long-term goals clearly and remind yourself of them often. It will help you stay motivated and determined when obstacles arise.

Another key factor in my success has been developing emotional intelligence. In veterinary medicine, it’s not enough to just love animals—you also need to communicate effectively with pet owners. Early in my career, I realized that without strong interpersonal skills, it would be difficult to build trust and offer the best care. My emotional intelligence was something that didn’t come naturally right out of vet school, but I worked on improving it over the years through practice and experience. If I could go back, I would have taken more communication courses during my undergraduate studies, as they would have accelerated my ability to connect better with both clients and colleagues.

Finally, a commitment to continuous learning has been essential to my growth as a veterinarian. Veterinary medicine, like many fields, is constantly evolving. Some of the things I learned in school a decade ago are now taught very differently. By staying updated on the latest research, technologies, and treatment approaches, I’ve been able to provide high-quality, current care to my patients. My advice to others is never to assume that what you learned years ago is still the best practice—keep learning and adapting so you can stay at the forefront of your field.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, which happens often as a business owner, I rely on a few key practices to help me push through while still taking care of myself. One of the most helpful is my meditation practice. For the past year and a half, I’ve been meditating almost daily—just 15 minutes first thing in the morning. It’s a small commitment, but it sets a positive tone for my day and helps me stay grounded. When stress starts to build throughout the day, I remind myself to pause and take a few deep breaths, which makes a big difference in regaining my focus.

Another strategy I use is breaking down my tasks into manageable lists. When everything I need to do is swirling in my head, it can feel overwhelming and impossible. But when I break it down into what needs to be done today, this week, and this month, it suddenly feels much more achievable. Organizing my tasks this way helps relieve some of the stress and gives me a clearer path forward.

Lastly, when I’m really feeling overwhelmed by the end of the day, I know it’s important to recognize when I’ve hit a point of diminishing returns. Instead of pushing through exhaustion, I allow myself to wrap up earlier than planned and take some time to unwind. For me, that often means taking my dog for a walk—it’s a great way to clear my head, de-stress, and reset for the next day. The work will still be there tomorrow, but I know I’ll approach it with more energy and clarity after taking time to recharge.

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