April 2026

Justine Bids Farewell: Celebrating Leadership, Legacy, and Lifelong Learning

By Dr. Justine Lee, DACVECC, DABT, Director of Medicine/CEO, VETgirl


After much personal reflection, I’ve made the decision to retire and step down as Director of Medicine and former CEO of VETgirl, effective July 2, 2026. It’s been an amazing ride, and I have so many incredible memories since VETgirl’s inception back in 2012. From people thinking that we were a t-shirt company, to getting push back on the VETgirl name, to growing VETgirl into the global online veterinary continuing education company we are today, to building our amazing VETgirl team, it has truly been momentous.

“Penn-We” criticalists working on VETgirl the way we clear a busy ER

Never would I have imagined that this C-student at Cornell would become a Founder of a successful small business.  And honestly, I couldn’t have done it without Dr. Garret Pachtinger, fellow criticalist and VETgirl Co-Founder. As you know, Garret was my work-husband and truly the best business partner I could ever ask for. From having the same work ethic, to humility, to grit, to surviving a few bumps in the road, I couldn’t have found a better partner. I’m honored to pass the torch as Garret continues to support our VETgirl community and grow VETgirl while maintaining the mission of delivering clinically relevant, practical CE.

I have so many people to thank. First, my incredible husband.  From the moment I shared this idea, Jason supported me. Jason set his own career aside to allow me to grow VETgirl. To my son, James, who had to see Ma working on my laptop early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays, and put up with me having yet another webinar to run instead of tucking him into bed.

My kid learning at VETgirl U 2024 in NOLA while my husband surfs his phone

To the numerous veterinary colleagues including David Gersholowitz, who helped us with a  seamless, amazing acquisition by BluePearl Pet Hospital; Tracy Covert, Stacy Calabretta, and  Amy Johnson for continuing to lead our nimble VETgirl team; our amazing VETgirl team of 11 (who helped herd a lot of cats and put up with me!); the VETgirl consultants who helped grow us; to many an unnamed resident mate, intern mate, and veterinary colleague who believed in us and helped us grow when we were small; to the supportive leadership at MVH/BluePearl including Dr. Jimmy Barr, Dr. Richard Stone and Da Chang who trusted us to run with VETgirl while fully “having our back”; and to the amazing industry sponsors who – through the relational nature of our veterinary field – entrusted us with being educational partners.

Most importantly, I truly want to thank the incredible VETgirl community who trusted VETgirl with your continuous thirst for knowledge. Those who subscribed as VETgirl ELITE members the very first year of release in 2013. Those who showed up to our first ever VETgirl U conference in 2018, when we were just figuring out how to run a conference… to coming back year after year to connect with us behind the scenes… Thank you.

The AMAZING VETgirl team, along with some incredible veterinary student volunteers at VETgirl U 2024 in NOLA

Will VETgirl change?  You’re probably expecting me to say, “No.” And in many ways, that’s true—because Garret’s leadership and our incredible team will continue to carry forward everything we’ve built together. But the honest answer is… VETgirl changed a long time ago. Somewhere along the way, it stopped being about me and Garret. It became something bigger than neither of us could have imagined. It became a community.

VETgirl isn’t a person. The word “girl” was never meant to define a person—it was meant to remind us that behind every webinar, every podcast, every video, there are real people. People who care deeply. People who show up every day, even when it’s hard. People who are learning, growing, struggling, and still pushing forward.

Our very first logo from 2012…

That’s what VETgirl is.

It’s you. VETgirl is a brand that represents an amazing global community of veterinary professionals. So while I may no longer be the VETgirl voice on the podcast or the face behind the brand, VETgirl hasn’t lost anything. If anything, it’s stronger—because it was never mine to begin with. It was always made for you.

Because you’re the incredible veterinarian who is saving lives. You’re the veterinary student bringing the enthusiasm and passion. You’re the veterinary technician who is the right hand. You’re the triage or CSR who are the face of our veterinary profession. You’re the one on the floor. You’re the one putting up with the demands of the daily grind. Regardless of what gender you are, YOU are VETgirl.

It’s not a VETgirl U unless there’s a selfie with Justine, Garret and the audience!

Keep on grinding. Keep on learning. Keep improving your knowledgebase and stretching yourself in what you can do. Because you’ve got this.

Know that I’m not going anywhere else… but truly using this time to enjoy life with my incredible husband and son after putting them on the side burner, thanks to my workafrolic personality.

Most importantly, thank you.

Thank you for believing in me.

Thank you for taking this ride with me.

So, as I step away, know that this isn’t an ending… it’s a handoff to something far more powerful. To all the clinicians, technicians, students, and the teams in the trenches… go save lives and carry VETgirl forward.

It has truly been my greatest honor.

My heart is full.

With joy,

Justine

P.S. It’ll be my last official VETgirl U 2026 in Salt Lake City, June 19-21st. I’ll be delivering the keynote Friday at 5pm, and would love to see you there as we toast a new era!

Register for VETgirl U 2026 and use code SDVGU26 at checkout to receive 10% off either education track.*

*Offer valid through April 30, 2026, while registration remains open and conference capacity is available (discount ends immediately once the conference sells out). Discount applies to both education tracks. Discount must be selected and applied using the coupon code at the time of registration. Discounts cannot under any circumstances be applied after checkout and will not be retroactively applied, including to prior registrations or payments. Applicable to ELITE member pricing, but cannot be used in combination with any additional discounts. Not valid on prior purchases.


  1. Justine you are amazing! Thank you for creating something for all of us in vet med to enjoy and keep up with our education!

  2. This is my favorite place to find CE and content relevant to what I see in private practice. You and your team continue to amaze me and provide outstanding content. Enjoy your time with your family, THAT is what will continue to drive you AND, we can use it as a reminder that we all need to ensure to fill that aspect of our lives too. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

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