Adam Yoshida, Manager, CCSC

+ Ruff Day Vet Co-Founder

Hi, my name is Adam, and though not a veterinarian I enjoy helping pets and owners access high quality care in the varied roles I play. My history lies outside the veterinary health sector, but this background has given me a unique perspective and a fresh mind unbound by the traditional beliefs and culture that often shape the veterinary industry. In the rapidly evolving landscape of veterinary medicine, where conventional approaches dominate, Heather and I have worked hard to free ourselves of preconceptions to focus on how we want to do business—with integrity and an intent that matches the high-quality service and medicine we provide.

Background and Philosophy

Thanks to a family that has always counted animals as valued members, my life has been immeasurably enriched by experiences shared with pets, including dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other invertebrates. My hobbies and extracurricular interests often intersected with opportunities to connect with animals through chance encounters with wildlife, majoring in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara, working at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, volunteering at the Tuna Research and Conservation Center, and continually learning about them through the lenses of biology, ecology, conservation, and other related disciplines. I have been very fortunate to have a diverse set of experiences and an insatiable curiosity, which contribute to my sustained fascination with veterinary medicine.

My journey begins with a passion for learning, teaching, and sharing experiences. I have a diverse background characterized by open-minded skepticism paired with broad interests and life experiences. I enjoy the iterative process of expanding and sharpening my pattern recognition, and making use of optimal flow states that enhance neuroplasticity. These qualities shape my role at Ruff Day Vet, where I function not just as a manager but as a builder, tinkerer, and innovator. I thrive in adapting to new, changing, and often challenging environments, viewing disruptions as opportunities to hone my problem-solving skills.

This adaptability stems from a rich tapestry of experiences across various industries, including a strong grounding in hospitality and customer service positions, teaching sailing and seamanship at Orange Coast College, working in Japan for three years as a JET Program participant, serving on emergency response teams at various institutions, and most recently before transitioning to my current role, working in construction. These experiences have allowed me to connect with diverse and varied communities and individuals, learning from their stories and cultures, and gaining an understanding of our many commonalities. Leveraging available tools, materials, and experiences has sharpened my pattern recognition, making seemingly unrelated information relevant and useful in unexpected ways. My commitment to environmental stewardship, social justice, and business ethics reflects a deep opposition to practices that prioritize profit over people and the planet.

Maintaining a relationship with Heather through veterinary school gave me access to this prestigious field and the amazing cohort that would become the graduating class of 2012. However, the heavy cost of rigorous, sustained studies was evident in the lack of quality of life for most of the vet students I knew. I did my best to offer support, as an informal study partner (ask me about the Krebs Cycle and oxidative respiration!), as a listener, caretaker, and advocate (ask me about what it takes to make a vet seek necessary and potentially life-saving medical attention when they’re scheduled to work the next day), and as someone who really enjoyed getting vital time away (usually diving in kelp forests or hiking next to the Pacific Ocean) from all of the obligations inherent in such responsibility-laden work.

Insights on Medicine and Health Care

My deep interest in science and medicine has benefitted from my proximity to veterinarians, human health care professionals, and others involved in the care of animals or scientific research. I had earlier discovered that the opportunities available to me working in the human medical field, while academically interesting, rewarding, and desperately needed by society, were wholly ill-suited to my needs and interests. I did not like what my rotations as a nursing student, as an EMT, as a patient, palliative caregiver, or bystander in the system revealed: the use of reactive medicine as a primary intervention, intervening when patients are already in crisis, then discharging people who were not actively dying and leaving them to figure out a set of unclear or discombobulated instructions. I thought it was irresponsible to subject patients to high-cost appointments (in time, money, and patience) whose primarily productivity-driven structure did not allow for the rapport-building necessary to engage pattern recognition past superficial layers. Time was too expensive for providers to actively engage patients on topics that build long-term health awareness and personal commitment to incorporating into one’s personal life practices. Little did I know that Heather and I would be working together to take these challenges head-on with Ruff Day Vet.

Role at Ruff Day Vet

At Ruff Day Vet, my role transcends conventional office management. I am deeply involved in every facet of the business—from acting as receptionist and office worker to managing our strategic plan, creating business systems and operations, testing and implementing productivity and organizational systems and tools, improving communications and logistics, marketing, PR, and experiential design of the Ruff Day Vet + Pet Gym’s physical space and functional components. I also assist Dr. Heather with animal handling, developing systems that use positive conditioning and associations to enhance services and create a supportive environment for pets and their owners. As a Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach from the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, I enjoy working with pets and owners to improve their quality of life through shared experiences focused on movement.

My managerial responsibilities are integral to freeing up Dr. Heather to focus on veterinary care, ensuring our clinic maintains a competitive edge. Additionally, I curate the environment to be functional and intuitively comforting, inspired by diverse influences ranging from the immersive experiences of theme parks and attractions to the principles of behavioral psychology that govern our responses and reactions.

Values in Practice

At Ruff Day Vet, we aim to create a business where every interaction is valuable, fun, and rewarding. Our focus is on making each visit a great experience for pets and their owners, fostering genuine relationships, and encouraging resourcefulness. We believe in providing high-quality, relationship-based medicine that considers the whole pet, the needs of the owner, and the abilities of the Ruff Day Staff.

We incorporate a One Health approach to broaden and deepen the medicine we provide, tying it to our business practices to prioritize win-win solutions with every transaction and interaction. Our commitment to creative problem-solving engages passion, flow, and perseverance for all involved in our operation, regardless of species, role, or situation.

Through a blend of practical problem-solving, ethical business practices, and a commitment to community and environmental stewardship, we aim to redefine the standards of veterinary care, ensuring that our practice not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our clients.

Building, Innovation, and Adaptation

I often source, customize, iterate improvements, or otherwise modify the tools, equipment, and the very office that we utilize for rehabilitation services. I also tap into a background of construction and as a maker to build spaces that encourage participation and functional pieces of equipment and decor. This DIY ethos extends to every corner of our operation, including sourcing sustainable products and engaging in practices that minimize our environmental impact. Recognizing the importance of continuous learning, I actively engage with resources like the SBA, SBDC, SCORE, Scale Up Thurston and various learning courses to stay ahead of the curve. This commitment to education is not just about maintaining our business's relevance; it's about leading by example in an industry ripe for innovation.

Education, Coaching, and Advising

As a lifelong learner and experienced educator, I design projects, systems, and processes that enable Ruff Day Vet to effectively and compassionately share information with the goal of expanding the understanding and capabilities of audiences, presenters, and facilitators. I see pets, clients, staff, and community members all doing their best and focus on lowering barriers to collaboration and authentic communication. By presenting information in an accessible and respectful manner, we improve understanding and outcomes, whether discussing diseases, treatments, value propositions, or more esoteric topics intertwined with the subject matter.

Cultural and Community Impact

Beyond daily operations, my ambition is to cultivate a workplace culture that reflects our values of integrity, efficacy, and community engagement. This involves creating a supportive environment for our team and extending that ethos to the wider community. By supporting local businesses and adopting responsible business practices, we aim to contribute positively to our local ecosystem.

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, my goals are clear: to continue refining our business model to meet the evolving needs of our clients and their pets, to expand our team responsibly, and to ensure that every growth step we take is sustainable and aligned with our values. This includes finding innovative ways to offer high-quality services and goods, ensuring we can continue to grow a thriving, resilient business without compromising our principles.

Navigating the complexities of veterinary medicine, my role at Ruff Day Vet is both a challenge and a privilege. By integrating my diverse skills and experiences, I am not just managing a veterinary practice; with Heather, we are redefining what it means to be a leader in an industry at the crossroads of change. Through practical problem-solving, ethical business practices, and a commitment to community and environmental stewardship, Ruff Day Vet is dedicated to creating a business that genuinely serves its community.