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Hayden Milligan, MBA, SHRM-CP
Chief People Officer, WellHaven
WellHaven was born of the conviction that each veterinary team member and pet parent makes a difference when it comes to the profession as a whole. Because when we all work together, our pets get better care and feel loved. That, to us, is what it’s all about.
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Veterinary professionals dedicate their lives to caring for animals, but the reality is that burnout, stress, and disengagement are widespread across the industry. The work is demanding, and teams need more than just a paycheck to stay motivated—they need a culture of recognition, connection, and support.
That’s where Rally comes in. As Hound’s retention and engagement platform, Rally helps veterinary teams stay connected, celebrate wins, and support each other—all while giving leadership real-time insights into team well-being. But does it really make a difference? We sat down with WellHaven team at the Yelm hospital using Rally every day to find out.
"Rally has been a really fun tool to use across our people side of the business because we're able to check on the health and well-being of our people without having to be in their space every single day."
Hayden Milligan, Chief People Officer, Wellhaven Pet Health
Yelm Veterinary Hospital has a strong track record of retaining both DVMs and support staff, with zero DVM turnover in the past 12 months and minimal turnover among the support team. In 2024, the hospital expanded its team by hiring 13 new employees, a mix of backfills and strategic additions—including two experienced DVMs.
Rally has played a key role in fostering team recognition, onboarding new hires, and keeping everyone informed.
“Before Rally, we used more traditional communication methods like a team bulletin board,” says Hayden Milligan. “Now, Rally has not only simplified communication but also shifted it from being strictly top-down to an open, full-team dialogue.”
With Rally, both leaders and support team members are engaging in conversations more frequently, strengthening internal communication and collaboration across the practice.
Veterinary leaders often struggle with finding a balance between being present for their teams and giving them space to do their best work. Rally makes it easy to keep a pulse on team well-being—without micromanaging. By offering visibility into engagement and morale, Rally allows leadership to check in proactively rather than reactively.
"We can see where team members are doing really well and celebrating wins, and also where someone is starting to dip. We can be proactive in our outreach and support."
Hayden Milligan, Chief People Officer, Wellhaven Pet Health
When a team member is thriving, their positivity spreads. When they’re struggling, Rally helps leadership step in at the right moment—whether it’s just lending an ear or offering additional support.
"When a team member is thriving, their positivity spreads. When they’re struggling, Rally helps leadership step in at the right moment—whether it’s just lending an ear or offering additional support."
Hayden Milligan, Chief People Officer, Wellhaven Pet Health
Rally empowers veterinary teams to build a workplace where everyone feels seen and supported.
""Sometimes it’s as simple as ‘I’m just having a rough day,’ but other times it’s an opportunity for us to intervene a bit more."
Hayden Milligan, Chief People Officer, Wellhaven Pet Health
"My favorite part of using Rally is seeing the interaction between staff—inside jokes, encouragement, and funny props for each other."
Dr. Michelle Rally, Principal Veterinarian, Yelm Vet Hospital
Veterinary teams thrive when they have strong relationships. Rally isn’t just another HR tool—it’s a space where teams can recognize each other in ways that feel authentic and fun. From inside jokes to heartfelt shoutouts, Rally helps create a culture where gratitude is a daily habit.
"Even the biggest skeptic will see how fun it is once they get booped. The recognition feature makes people feel good."
Elizabeth Champlin, Practice Manager, Yelm Vet Hospital
A simple “boop” (a peer-to-peer recognition feature in Rally) can turn someone’s day around. And for clinics that prioritize culture, small moments like these add up to big improvements in morale.
"My favorite experience using Rally is the announcements. It’s a great place to communicate with the whole team."
Elizabeth Champlin, Practice Manager, Yelm Vet Hospital
For practice managers, Rally also serves as a central hub for communication—ensuring that everyone is in the loop on important updates, celebrations, and team-wide initiatives.
WellHaven sought a solution like Rally to gain deeper insight into engagement efforts across its practices, reinforcing its commitment to the Well People foundational pillar. According to Hayden Milligan, Chief People Officer at WellHaven Pet Health, Rally provides an opportunity to understand how teams are feeling, where they feel empowered, and what support they need.
“We absolutely wanted to get a pulse on the practice teams. How are they feeling? Where are they empowered and celebrating? What do they need?”
Before implementing Rally, WellHaven aimed to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction while gathering actionable insights to support its teams effectively. Initially, leadership expected the wellness survey to be a primary data source, but they quickly found that engagement tools like Booping and Magic Wand submissions provided a more authentic and dynamic way to assess team morale.
“The wellness survey was the most intriguing data set at first, but we’ve found more insights in Booping and Magic Wand submissions. Wellness surveys may be skipped or glossed over, whereas these engagement tools offer real-time, actionable feedback.”
By collecting this information in a meaningful way, WellHaven could not only identify key issues but also share data with practice leaders to take proactive steps.
The Magic Wand feature, in particular, enabled teams to express what they needed, allowing leadership to identify solutions, follow up with team members, and implement changes that directly impacted their day-to-day work.Beyond engagement, Rally also streamlined communication and strengthened relationships across locations.
The e-card feature allowed team members from different roles and locations to connect in ways they hadn’t before—whether it was a staff accountant recognizing a veterinary technician’s work anniversary or a receptionist celebrating a veterinarian’s milestone.
“Being able to provide team announcements and celebrations through the e-card has allowed our campus team and practice teams to engage in ways they haven’t traditionally. How often do you have your staff accountant wishing an LVT a happy birthday or work anniversary, and vice versa? This level of organic engagement takes just a few seconds but has lasting impacts.”
By making recognition and communication more seamless and engaging, Rally has helped foster a workplace culture where every team member feels valued, connected, and supported.
"I try to go on Rally twice a week to make sure I’m not missing anything and to put encouragements in for staff."
Dr. Michelle Rally, Principal Veterinarian, Yelm Vet Hospital
Leaders often struggle to stay connected with the daily experiences of their teams—especially in larger or multi-location practices. Rally bridges this gap, giving managers and clinic owners a real-time view of team culture, recognition trends, and individual needs."
"We love the ‘magic wand’ submissions—it tells us what the team really wants and helps us act quickly on small things that make a big impact."
Hayden Milligan, Chief People Officer, Wellhaven Pet Health
Through magic wand submissions, teams can express what they need—whether it’s a small policy tweak, an equipment upgrade, or even just a team pizza party. Leadership doesn’t have to guess what matters most—Rally makes it clear.
"I love getting a notification when it’s someone’s birthday or work anniversary. It helps us recognize and celebrate each other."
Cindy, Veterinary Receptionist, Yelm Vet Hospital
Veterinary work is personal. Teams spend long hours together, supporting each other through challenges. Rally helps clinics celebrate more than just professional achievements—it recognizes life milestones, too. Whether it’s a birthday, a work anniversary, or a personal win, Rally ensures that no one’s moment goes unnoticed.
"The Hound team is available, responsive, and truly listens to our feedback. They’ve set the bar for vendor relationships."
Hayden Milligan, Chief People Officer, Wellhaven Pet Health
Technology should feel like a partnership, not just a product. The Hound team ensures Rally users always feel heard—whether it’s a feature request, a question, or a need for support.
"I regularly want to virtually boop our customer experience manager, Megan. She’s amazing. The Hound team in general is prompt, solution-focused, and always thinking about future improvements."
Hayden Milligan, Chief People Officer, Wellhaven Pet Health
Hound isn’t just providing a platform—it’s creating a better future for veterinary professionals. And that’s the real win.
The Yelm hospital team has fully embraced Rally, using it consistently to foster engagement and recognize each other through Boops.
"It’s become a weekly ritual for them to get online and Boop one another and compete for who will be the Top Booper – it’s impressive when your lead doctor is consistently the Top Booper!" says Hayden Milligan, highlighting how the platform has seamlessly integrated into their culture.
Beyond Yelm, WellHaven is actively piloting Rally in eight locations, with plans to expand further. Milligan emphasizes that "Rally is most effective when the Principal Doctor and Practice Manager are highly motivated and take the lead in engagement," ensuring that team culture and communication thrive across all participating hospitals.
"The leadership and team fully embraced the Hound/ Rally engagement platform. Dr. Raleigh and Liz role-modeled the engagement through "Boops," Team announcements, and Magic wands. The entire team started to engage and celebrate each other's accomplishments, share ideas, and announce specific areas of improvement for client satisfaction. It has been fun to witness the "Rallying" around the platform."
Jenni Jones, President and COO, WellHaven Pet Health
"The team at Yelm Veterinary Hospital are remarkable. In part, because they recognize the power of positive recognition. People who receive regular praise are more productive, engaged, and more likely to stay with the practice. Team Yelm lives this every day. The Rally tool provides them with an easy way to celebrate, recognize great work, and share feedback."
Bob Lester, DVM, Chief Medical Officer, Co-Founder, Board of Directors, WellHaven Pet Health
Rally is more than just an engagement tool—it’s a game-changer for vet med workplaces. From celebrating wins to identifying areas where team members need support, Rally empowers veterinary professionals to work better together. The results? Happier teams, stronger culture, and better retention.
Want to see what Rally can do for your clinic?
Schedule a demo.
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Passionate about pets? We're looking for dedicated individuals to help us provide top-quality care. If you're ready to make a real difference, apply today and be part of a team that values growth, collaboration, and compassion.
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Creating a brighter future for animal health
Born from one veterinarian's vision for better access to essential medications and solutions, we are more than just a distribution company—we are a catalyst for change. With a bold commitment to "thinking forward," we collaborate with veterinarians and producers to tackle inefficiencies and innovate solutions that enhance animal care and profitability. Our technology and partnerships empower those who keep animals healthy.Join us as we redefine the future of animal health, creating healthier lives for all.
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Hound is the leading work platform in veterinary medicine. We are building technology to modernize veterinary job search and hiring, relief shift coverage, employee engagement and retention, and access to care. Our software helps veterinary professionals work how they want, love their work, and care for more pets.
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