Our Story

Women are increasingly providing large animal veterinary services in demanding practice environments. Cowgirl CE Retreats was created to offer both educational and personal support to these hardworking professionals.

Our retreats provide continuing education credits and valuable networking opportunities. Topics range from large animal medicine and surgery and business management to childcare challenges, stress reduction, and improving efficiency. We continue to foster community and support year-round for past attendees.

Our goal is to help veterinarians apply new knowledge and connections to thrive both professionally and personally. By supporting the well-being and longevity of these practitioners, we also contribute to the sustainability of rural large animal veterinary practice, which is vital to our agricultural communities.

Founders:
Piper Norton, DVM, DACVIM-LA
Christine Navarre, DVM, MS, DACVIM-LA
Meredyth Jones Cook, DVM, MS, DACVIM-LA

Our Retreats

We host three annual retreats at affordable dude ranches, each spanning four days with RACE-approved CE, networking, and relaxation. Limited to ~30 participants, these retreats foster meaningful, lasting connections. Attendees also get access to a private chat group and resources from all retreats—past and future.

Kind Words

Kind Words

“Muditā means joy; especially sympathetic or vicarious joy or the pleasure that comes from delighting in other people’s well-being.  This word describes how I feel about the other women winning in veterinary medicine and agriculture.  My cup is so full after spending the weekend with 30 other female large animal veterinarians”

“A few years ago I was nearing burnout and ready to throw in the towel. They took me under their wings with kindness, encouragement, love, pep talks, courageous vulnerability, authenticity....and they reminded me of who I am.  They understood me before they even knew me...because it takes a special kind of crazy, real, honest and gritty person to do the jobs we do.  They fill my cup.”

“The personal and professional connections have been life and career-changing for me.”

“Last week, I had the opportunity to spend several days in Tucson, Arizona at cowgirl veterinary continuing education. These incredible women push me to strive for excellence, not only in veterinary medicine, but in every area of my life