As the Director and Owner of Salford VetsforPets, Madalina Obreja’s journey of resilience, reinvention, and purposeful growth has made her a living example of hope, healing, and new beginnings. From rebuilding her life after divorce to creating a thriving business, finding love again, and growing her family, she takes pride in her ability to turn adversity into triumph and growth into legacy.
Professionally, she has been featured in Vet Times, participated in global congresses, and is now expanding into additional practices. But her proudest achievement is the growth – personal, professional, and inspiring others. Her ability to rise after adversity, build something meaningful, and lead with compassion is a triumph that goes beyond titles or recognition.
Turning Adversity Into Strength and Success
Madalina’s journey began seven years ago during one of the most challenging chapters of her life. She had just gone through a painful divorce, and her son was only four months old. Suddenly, she was facing a future that felt uncertain, fragile, and overwhelming. But she realized that she could either be defined by this hardship or use it as a catalyst to grow stronger – and she chose growth.
Madalina went back to education, completing a degree in Business and Management and later a Master’s in Global Business Management, which provided her with the skills, confidence, and strategic thinking to pursue something meaningful. “When the opportunity arose to join the VetsforPets family, I embraced it wholeheartedly. What started as a personal mission to rebuild my life soon transformed into a professional calling,” she recalls.
Madalina soon discovered that leadership could be both compassionate and ambitious, and that building a thriving practice was not only about business but about people, pets, and community. Today, as Director and Owner of Salford VetsforPets, she can look back and see how a painful ending became the beginning of a life full of purpose, passion, and possibility.
Finding Purpose In Everyday Moments
Madalina notes that one of the most rewarding moments of her career so far was sharing her story of going from a struggling single mother to a business leader in Vet Times magazine. “It was incredibly humbling to know that my journey could inspire others in the veterinary industry. Participating in congresses around the world with the VetsforPets family further reinforced this feeling, showing me how far courage and determination can carry someone,” she shares.
Yet, for Madalina, the most profound rewards happen in the everyday moments: seeing a junior team member grow in confidence, receiving heartfelt thanks from a pet owner, or watching a sick animal recover under their care. “These moments remind me that leadership is not just about expansion or recognition; it’s about the tangible, human impact we make every day,” she affirms.
Breaking Barriers and Building With Vision
Madalina admits that being a woman entrepreneur, especially in healthcare, comes with unique challenges. Early in her journey, she often felt underestimated or overlooked. Starting over after her divorce, with a four-month-old baby, was one of the hardest experiences of her life.
“I had to face not only external doubts, but also my own fears and insecurities. I overcame these challenges by focusing on growth, resilience, and clarity of purpose. I rebuilt my life, found the best partner I could imagine, welcomed a beautiful daughter, and we are now expecting another baby,” she shares.
Professionally, Madalina continues to expand into new veterinary practices, proving that perseverance, courage, and vision can overcome even the toughest obstacles. Her journey is a reminder that adversity can be transformed into strength, opportunity, and inspiration.
Leading with Both Heart and Mind
Madalina believes that running a veterinary practice requires both heart and mind. In a field like veterinary care, the emotional weight of the work is real, as vets and nurses deal with life, death, and the deep bond people share with their pets. “My role is to create the conditions that allow them to focus on their passion while I manage the operational and strategic side,” she explains. “I draw on my business education, my personal experience of overcoming adversity, and my deep empathy for both my team and clients. Balancing strategy with emotion means creating processes that support efficiency, implementing systems that prevent burnout, and ensuring that compassion is always at the forefront of every decision.”
Madalina notes that pets are at the heart of communities, and their well-being reflects the well-being of the people around them. To integrate community engagement into her business model and leadership approach, she engages in local initiatives, supports animal charities, and provides education for pet owners to strengthen their bond. “I believe that a successful business is inseparable from its community. By giving back, we create a positive ripple effect – improving lives, building trust, and inspiring others to care for the animals and people around them,” she shares.
Creating a Culture of Trust and Growth
Empowerment, for Madalina, is about creating the space for people to shine, take initiative, and believe in themselves. “My own journey taught me that empowerment starts within – when I chose to rebuild my life and take control of my future, I unlocked a strength I didn’t know I had,” she reflects. In the Salford VetsforPets clinic, empowerment is about trust, mentorship, and fostering autonomy.
Madalina encourages her team to develop their skills, express their ideas, and take ownership of their work. “When people feel supported and believed in, they bring their best selves to their roles, which leads to better care for pets and stronger connections with their families,” she explains. “Empowerment is not a title or position – it’s an energy that spreads from one person to another, and it’s at the heart of our culture.”
Madalina points out that company culture is not created overnight; it is nurtured through consistent action and leadership by example. She models compassion by listening, supporting, and celebrating her team. Excellence comes from setting clear standards and encouraging continuous learning. Teamwork is reinforced through collaboration, open communication, and a sense that every voice matters.
“I also make it a priority to recognize achievements, small and large, because feeling valued strengthens both morale and performance. When the team feels supported, respected, and empowered, they naturally extend those qualities to every client and pet, creating a ripple effect of care and dedication throughout the practice,” she states.
Where Continuous Learning Meets Compassionate Care
To stay updated with advancements in veterinary medicine while managing a busy practice, Madalina prioritizes continuous learning through participation in international congresses, workshops, and collaborations with the VetsforPets family. These experiences expose her to the latest trends, research, and innovative practices in the field.
Even as a manager, staying connected to advancements ensures that the Salford VetsforPets clinic maintains the highest standards and inspires confidence in her team and clients. “Lifelong learning is not just a strategy – it is part of my personal and professional philosophy. Growth, after all, is both a responsibility and a privilege,” Madalina declares.
Technology has transformed the way veterinary care is delivered, from advanced diagnostics to digital communication tools, which allow veterinary professionals to provide care that is precise, timely, and transparent. But for Madalina, technology is always a tool to enhance human connection, never a replacement for it. “It helps our team focus on what matters most: the well-being of pets and the reassurance of their families. By embracing innovation, we can offer a higher standard of care while maintaining the empathy and compassion that define our practice,” she observes.
Leaving a Legacy of Resilience, Compassion, and Growth
Madalina lists three values that guide her in every decision: resilience, compassion, and growth. Resilience reminds her that challenges are not setbacks but opportunities to rise stronger. Compassion ensures that she leads with empathy, both for her team and for the families and pets they serve. Growth drives her to keep learning, innovating, and expanding – personally, professionally, and as a leader.
“These values influence everything I do, from the strategic choices I make in expanding our practices, to the daily ways I support my team, to how we interact with clients. They remind me that leadership is about more than results; it’s about the impact you leave on people and the community around you,” she emphasizes.
Every Ending is a New Beginning
Madalina shares these words of wisdom for aspiring veterinary professionals who dream of owning their own clinic: Start before you feel ready. There will never be a perfect moment. Invest in your education, seek mentors, and surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you.
Believe in your own strength. If I could rebuild my life from a place of heartbreak with a four-month-old baby in my arms, you can take the first step toward your dream. Every obstacle is an opportunity to grow, and every small step forward is progress. Don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back – your courage is your greatest asset.
As part of her legacy and impact, Madalina wants to leave people with the understanding that every ending can be a beginning. “Life may challenge you, but it also provides the opportunity to rise stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever. I hope to inspire women, mothers, and leaders to embrace resilience, to rebuild, and to pursue growth fearlessly,” she reflects.
Conclusion
Seven years ago, Madalina Obreja was a young mother starting over after a painful divorce, holding her four-month-old son in her arms and facing a future that felt uncertain. Today, she is growing her family with a loving partner, a beautiful son and daughter, and another baby on the way, while expanding into new veterinary practices at Salford VetsforPets.
Madalina’s journey teaches us that, while life may challenge us, it also allows us to rise stronger than ever. Her story inspires us to not wait for the perfect moment, but to start again, grow, and believe in ourselves – because the greatest gift we can give the world is our courage, strength, and unwavering growth.
“Seven years ago, I was a young mother starting over after a painful divorce, holding my four-month-old son in my arms and facing a future that felt uncertain. Today, I lead Salford VetsforPets, am growing my family with a loving partner, a beautiful son and daughter, and another baby on the way, and I am expanding into new veterinary practices. My journey has taught me that life may challenge you, but it also allows you to rise stronger than ever. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start again, grow, and believe in yourself – because the greatest gift you can give the world is your courage, your strength, and your unwavering growth.”
