Each year I like to take a moment to reflect on our company, where we are, how far we’ve come, and what still lies ahead. But as always, most of that reflection centers on the people in my life who helped make the past year meaningful.

This year was especially challenging. As many of you know, I lost my youngest brother less than two weeks before we were scheduled to go on a family vacation with him, his wife, and his children. It was sudden, and for the first time in my life, my usual coping method of burying myself in work simply did not work. I could not focus. I could not function.

Thankfully, I am incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such remarkable people at Pyxis. While I was away, the company did not miss a beat. Through the hard work and dedication of people like Olivia, Michael, and Matt, Pyxis Pro and Exero Vet continued to thrive while I took the time I needed to grieve. I will forever be grateful for that support.

In addition to the team at Pyxis, many people in our industry helped lift me up, even if they did not realize it at the time. Less than a month after my brother’s passing, far too soon in hindsight, I attended the Midyear Vet Partners Meeting. I thought getting back on the road might help, but the trip was harder than I expected. Still, as they always do, the incredible team at Vet Partners put on a wonderful conference that at times offered much-needed distraction.

When the days began to feel too heavy, I found comfort in the conference’s final presentation by Dr. Kemba Marshall and Dr. Mia Cary, “Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable Beyond the Basics”. It was an extraordinary discussion around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion built on the idea that not everything needs to make everyone comfortable, but increasing awareness can make a powerful difference. I am sure I am underselling their message here, which is why I highly recommend hearing them speak firsthand. For me, they took a topic that could easily feel divisive and instead delivered a message rooted in hope. That hope stayed with me long after their presentation ended.

By November, I began to feel more like myself again and had the opportunity to do one of the most rewarding things I get to do as founder, a campus visit at Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Nothing restores me like talking about Exero Vet with students and faculty. Being in an environment so fueled by passion and optimism makes it impossible not to believe in the future. I truly hope this visit marks the beginning of a long relationship with such a wonderful school.

Of course, Exero Vet would not be what it is today without the trust and support of Paul Pion and his exceptional team at VIN. VIN and Pyxis have partnered on Exero Vet for over five years, and together we have added more schools and created more videos than we ever imagined possible. Paul also deserves special recognition for taking the time to check on me during the most difficult parts of this year. It meant more than he likely knows.

Beyond our team and industry partners, my spirits have also been lifted by the incredible practice managers and owners using Pyxis Pro. The steady stream of positive feedback this year has been humbling. When we launched this platform, our only goal was to help. If we could do that without any recognition, we would still feel successful. But this industry refuses to let you help quietly. It responds with gratitude, and we have received more than our share of it. So now it is my turn to say thank you to all of you for your trust and support.

As we close out the year, my focus shifts to what is ahead. Exero Vet will continue expanding to new veterinary schools and producing even more educational content. Pyxis Pro will keep evolving based on the feedback of practice managers and building new tools to make their already demanding jobs easier.

I would not be in a position to do any of this without all of you. Thank you for helping carry me through a difficult year. I look forward to everything 2026 has to bring.

Jared Stanton

Founder