Ep 261: From Parachute Kid to Practice Owner: Dr. Zonram Liao’s Story

In this episode of So You’re a Vet, Now What?, Dr. Moriah McCauley sits down with Dr. Zonram Liao—veterinarian, content creator, and founder of Sunshine Veterinary Care and Wellnergy Pets—to explore what it means to build a veterinary practice rooted in gratitude, mentorship, and service to community.

Dr. Liao, affectionately known as “Dr. Z,” shares the incredible story of how being a “parachute kid” in Diamond Bar, California inspired his return home to build something deeply meaningful for both pets and people. From opening a clinic just minutes from his childhood school to mentoring 18 students in under a year, Dr. Z shows us what it looks like to lead with heart, raise up the next generation, and grow a sustainable practice culture—one student, one client, one case at a time.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered how to mentor without a manual, why attitude sometimes matters more than experience, and how community-focused care can transform both your career and your life.

Episode Outline

[00:00] – Why Mentorship Isn’t Just About Pets

[02:00] – VMAX, Hive Minds, and First IRL Meetings

[03:00] – What It Means to Be a Parachute Kid

[04:00] – Giving Back to the Community That Raised You

[06:00] – Cultural Shifts in Pet Ownership and Education

[08:00] – How a Cousin’s Emergency Sparked a Career

[10:00] – Dr. Wang & Dr. Lee: First Mentors, Forever Mentors

[12:00] – The Power of Push and the Gift of Belief

[14:00] – Attitude, Effort, and Communication: Hiring for Culture

[16:00] – Building a Practice Where Mentorship Is the Business Plan

[17:00] – 18 Students in 10 Months: Mentorship in Action

[19:00] – Designing Externships Around Passion, Not Just Protocol

[22:00] – Why Sustainable Vet Careers Begin with Purpose

[23:00] – Patience, Grace, and Difficult Clients

[25:00] – The Staff Who Make Mentorship Possible (and Joyful)

[27:00] – “When Can I Come Back?”—The Best Feedback a Mentor Can Get

[29:00] – Sunshine, Spurs Culture, and the No-Exit-Strategy Strategy

Episode Links

• Learn more about Sunshine Veterinary Care: https://sunshineveterinarycare.com/
• Explore Wellnergy Pets: https://www.wellnergypets.com
• Follow Dr. Zonram Liao on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.zonramliao
• Follow Sunshine Veterinary Care on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshineveterinarycare
• See more from Dr. Moriah McCauley: https://www.instagram.com/dr.moriah.mccauley
• Connect with Dr. Moriah McCauley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moriah-mccauley

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