Can a Veterinary Neurologist Beat the News? Dr. Lauren Koos Takes the Brain Smarts Challenge | WVC Nashville 2026

Can a Veterinary Neurologist Beat the News? Dr. Lauren Koos Takes the Brain Smarts Challenge | WVC Nashville 2026

Author: Vet Candy July 13, 2026 Duration: 41:13
Can one of veterinary medicine's top neurologists outsmart the week's biggest headlines? On this special WVC Nashville 2026 edition of Brain Smarts, hosts Caitlin and Clay Palmer put Dr. Lauren Downey Koos—clinical neurologist at BluePearl Veterinary and WVC Nashville headliner—through Vet Candy's fast-paced veterinary trivia showdown. From CRISPR-engineered screwworms to augmented reality surgery, a $230 million veterinary teaching hospital, and the surprising science behind your cat's slow blink, Dr. Koos breaks down what's hype, what's real, and why these stories matter to veterinarians. Along the way, she tackles rapid-fire questions, shares specialist insights, and proves that even neurologists can be stumped. In this episode: Colorado State University's game-changing $230 million veterinary expansion The USDA's $105 million plan to stop the New World Screwworm Could augmented reality become the future of veterinary surgery? The science behind why slow blinking at cats actually works A lightning-round made just for veterinary neurologists Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary technician, student, or simply obsessed with veterinary medicine, you'll walk away with surprising facts, practical takeaways, and a few laughs. About Dr. Lauren Downey Koos Dr. Lauren Downey Koos is a clinical neurologist at BluePearl Veterinary in Franklin, Tennessee, and a featured speaker at WVC Nashville 2026, where she'll share the latest advances in veterinary neurology. About Brain Smarts Brain Smarts is Vet Candy's fast-paced veterinary news game show, where the brightest minds in veterinary medicine compete against the week's biggest headlines. Think Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!—but for veterinarians. Don't miss WVC Nashville 2026! Join thousands of veterinary professionals August 15–18 in Nashville for four days of world-class CE, hands-on labs, networking, and the biggest names in veterinary medicine—including Dr. Lauren Koos. Sign up here: https://www.viticusgroup.org/wvc-nashville?utm_campaign=45126685-WVCN26%20-%20Vet%20Candy&utm_content=280x1920px%20%28webpage%20ad%29&utm_source=280x1920px%20%28webpage%20ad%29 Subscribe to Vet Candy for weekly veterinary news, research, expert guests, and trivia that every veterinary professional should know.   #veterinarypodcast #vetcandy #veterinarian #veterinarymedicine #animalhealth

For the tens of thousands of veterinary professionals who consider this their audio home, Vet Candy-Veterinary Lifestyle, News & Learning offers a necessary and unfiltered conversation. This podcast moves beyond the textbook to tackle the real-world chaos, career truths, and continuing education that define daily life in veterinary medicine. It’s built on the understanding that clinical training is just one part of the story, addressing the gaps that many feel after leaving school. The community fostered here is unique, focusing on the full spectrum of a vet professional's journey-from the challenges of clinic life and business to personal wellness and the latest industry news. Listeners will hear honest discussions that blend science with lifestyle, making complex topics accessible for everyone in the field, from seasoned practitioners to those just starting out. By weaving together categories like animals, pets, education, and family, the podcast acknowledges that a vet's work doesn't exist in a vacuum; it impacts and is impacted by every other part of life. Tune in for a direct, authentic take that feels like talking with a trusted colleague, providing both learning and solidarity. This is the voice for a community seeking relatable content and genuine connection, all delivered in a straightforward, engaging style that cuts through the noise.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Vet Candy – Veterinary Lifestyle, News & Learning
Podcast Episodes
Obsessed with the Palmers: Howling Hilarity with the Wolfman! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:15
Moonlight, mystery, and mayhem! In this fang-tastic episode, the Palmers explore the legend of the Wolfman with their signature humor and veterinary-world twist. From wild transformations to unexpected pet parallels, Cai…
Obsessed with the Palmers: Zombie Apocalypse Hits the Vet World! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:26
Brains… and bark? In this hilarious and slightly horrifying episode, the Palmers dive into everything zombies. Our hosts, who live and breathe the vet world, explore zombie lore, share survival tips (for pets and humans)…
8 Cats, 1 Diva Vet — and Total Cat Chaos Ensues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:50
It’s another episode of Pet Candy’s Cat Daddy, where the competition is as fierce as a cat protecting its favorite toy! Caitlin Palmer is back, hosting a hilarious episode with a guest who is ready to prove they know eve…
Jeremiah Pouncy vs. Brain Smarts: Will Vet School Skills Save Him? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:17
Meet Jeremiah Pouncy, the Cornell vet student who makes the rest of us look like underachievers. He checks lion blood pressures, delivers clean water to communities, and somehow still has time to survive exams without sp…
Shocking Study Exposes Animal Use in Vet Schools [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:47
On Vet Candy News, a groundbreaking new study has revealed the extent of animal use in veterinary education across the U.S. and Canada. Researchers reviewed 120 animal use protocols from 26 public vet schools and found w…