Dr. Greg Shaw is using his platform to make change
What do pets and music have in common?
Well, if you are an animal located in Nashville, Tennessee, then the answer is Dr. Greg Shaw!
As a veterinarian, he has a passion for helping both people and pets. Plus, Dr. Shaw performs, teaches, records, and produces music for artists around the globe. In his world, art meets science in the coolest of ways.
For this Tuskegee University graduate, nothing is “im-pawsible.” Every single day, he is proving that you can be multi-passionate. From writing books, making music, and of course being an animal scientist and veterinarian (with concentrations in public health, foreign animal diseases, zoonotic diseases, small animal medicine, shelter medicine, holistic as well as traditional treatments, and exotic animal species and diseases) Dr. Shaw shows us, yes…you can do it all!
Vet Candy is delighted to introduce this gracious and groovy vet to our readers.
Be Yourself. Everyone Else is Taken.
Veterinarian. Musician. Author. Actor.
Those are the titles Dr. Greg is known for. And though he serves on multiple boards as a consultant as well as a mentor for aspiring veterinarians, he also understands that there’s more to life than just “work.”
In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that most veterinarians work full time, often clocking more than 40 hours per week – including nights and weekends. That’s a whole lot of time dedicated to caring for others. As such, vets need to be careful not to lose their sense of self and become consumed by work identities.
Remember, you are more than your job!
Dr. Shaw explains:
“My mission in life is to inspire the world to dream in a way that transcends professional or societal norms and to create your own path and own who you were created to be. Your purpose. Your dreams. Your way.”
He further adds, “I was brought up with the old saying that either you can wake up each day to help make someone else's dreams come true or you can wake up and make yours a reality. While I believe you can do both, having a purpose helps you maintain that vision for yourself so that at the end of the road you don't have any regrets and you brought your uniqueness to the world.”
And it is that uniqueness that makes Dr. Shaw so wonderful!
Why Music and Medicine?
In addition to his animal calling, Dr. Greg also loves music. He plays an assortment of instruments, including the saxophone, harmonica, piano, and even didgeridoo.
For him, music is a way to clear his head after a busy day of practicing medicine.
“Being from Memphis and living in Nashville, music is a part of my DNA,” he says. “I'm a big country music and blues fan, so being in Nashville allows me the opportunity to escape to the music whenever I need to get away.”
Check out his tunes by visiting @drgregshaw on Instagram.
Final Words of Advice
In summary, for Dr. Greg it was work ethic, owning who he truly is (instead of trying to fit in), and believing in himself that got him where he is today.
To young veterinarians, he offers the following advice, “Embrace the path and not so much the destination. Learn from the storms as well the sunshine.”