When something devastating happens in a veterinary practice, the clinical decisions don't stop — but the team is not okay. And practice managers are expected to hold it together in the hardest moments, often without training, tools, or a roadmap. This session changes that. Using accessible nervous system science and practical crisis management strategies, participants leave with a clear framework for the critical first 72 hours — what to say, what not to do, how to read their team's responses, and how to lead through crisis without losing the culture they've worked to build.
Speaker: Kelly Baez, PhD, LPC, CFRC
Kelly Baez, PhD, LPC, CFRC is a licensed professional counselor and certified first responder counselor with over 20 years of clinical experience specializing in trauma, occupational stress, and resilience in high-stakes professions. She is the daughter of a veterinarian who practiced for nearly 40 years, and her work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, clinical depth, and the real demands of veterinary medicine. Kelly translates complex nervous system science into practical frameworks that professionals can apply immediately — in the middle of a clinical day, not just in a weekend retreat. She has delivered resilience and crisis-focused programming for organizations including the Leadership Institute of Columbus, GA, and served as a featured resilience speaker for SPARTA, a national organization supporting Army Ranger families, across two consecutive annual regional retreats. Her critical incident response work uses the ASSYST protocol, an evidence-based approach designed specifically for acute occupational stress in high-stakes settings. The Certified First Responder Counselor credential specifically prepared her to deliver structured psychological support in occupational environments — including veterinary practices. Her continuing education programs for veterinary professionals are RACE-approved.