Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

What happens when veterinary professionals accidentally or inadvertently break or damage equipment (or even uniforms) when caring for pet patients? This week we share why this is a harmful management tactic and better ways to communicate the proper care of veterinary equipment. Beckie is "coming in hot" in this episode! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle a real-life dilemma Beckie...

This week we're thrilled to bring you an exclusive - and her first ever - podcast interview with the 2022 National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) President, Ashi Selke, RVT, CVT. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT learn Ashli’s story of becoming a veterinary technician, her personal military service, how she got involved with NAVTA, and plans for her leadership t...

Happy belated Veterinary Assistant Appreciation Week! February 14-18, 2022 was celebrated by the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City - and we missed it! This week we take time to not only appreciate our beloved veterinary assistants, but also discuss some of the challenges and opportunities we see in the future of this essential role in veterinary medicine. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and B...

While many of our podcasts have focused on the current veterinary workforce shortages, perhaps we haven’t talked as much about retaining staff as we should. This week we discuss how hiring, onboarding, phase training, new employee integration, and personality matching can help keep good staff longer and improve your team’s ability to attract and retain new hires. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mo...

Veterinary unions are once again in the news. A Thrive (formerly Pathways) veterinary clinic in New York recently voted 2 to 1 to form a union. There is growing interest in veterinary unionization, and this week we're joined once again by one of the leading voices in this movement, Liz Hughston, MEd., RVT, CVT, LVT, LVMT, VTS (SAIM) (ECC). Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT talk with Liz...

Brachycephalic Breed Bans in Europe - Can It Happen in the US? In January 2022, Norway approved a legal ban on breeding Bulldogs and Cavaliers, citing animal welfare violations. A similar ban and breeding restrictions has growing support from UK and other European veterinary organizations. Could the US be next to ban brachycephalic breeds? Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT weigh the pros...

Recently the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board sent a memo to state veterinarians warning about Board complaints and disciplinary actions taken in response to veterinarians responding to client online posts and reviews. Vets were found at fault for ethics or professionalism violations due to an online spat. You may want to re-read that. This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT d...

With the reality of veterinary workforce shortages and challenges hiring veterinarians and veterinary technicians in 2022, talk of improving license portability has resurfaced. This week we discuss why we believe it’s time to make it easier to share veterinary and veterinary technician licenses among states. Hint 1: It’s already been done in the human medical professions. So, yeah. Hosts Dr. Ernie...

What happens when a veterinary professional’s own pet needs veterinary care? Do they schedule an appointment? Who cares for them, when are they seen, and how much do they charge? What are some of the potential disruptions and discord that bringing in our own pets for veterinary care can create in a veterinary practice? Perhaps more than you’d think… Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT expl...

There's been a surge in the number of veterinary professional certifications over the past few years. But are those extra initials behind your degree worth it in 2022? Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT start the new year off with a conversation about the what's, when's, why's, and (probably most important to employers) worth of professional certifications. It gets complicated. Viewfinder...

Happy New Year, Viewfinders! This week our hosts preview the veterinary profession’s toughest topics and trends we predict for 2022! Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT join in a rapid-fire discussion of the top challenges they foresee for 2022 (and beyond). Some of the issues they discuss include: * Veterinary workforce shortages * Mental health issues (burnout, depression, compassion fatigue,...

Happy Holidays Viewfinders! This week, we’ve got TWO Very Veterinary Holiday Poems to share! Pull on your favorite comfy clothes or hit “play” on your way to work, because we’ve got plenty of holiday cheer to spread to you this week! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discovered two “very veterinary holiday poems” to put their best holiday podcast spin on! These are family-friendly, so bl...

There’s a new TikTok trend we believe could potentially harm dogs called the “Bark at your Dog Challenge.” Veterinary colleagues and concerned pet parents, let’s discuss. And, WTF is wrong with people? Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT revisit their concern that some popular social media trends could be harmful to animals. This week our hosts discuss what many are calling a “funny, hilar...

In early 2021, a hypothetical veterinary technician degree was proposed and discussed by a select group of about 20 individuals representing 12 organizations. Called a “Masters in Veterinary Clinical Care,” the exploratory degree has garnered a lot of questions and confusion. This week we discuss what we know and our initial impressions on how this may - or may not - benefit the veterinary profess...

Recent news of a veterinary technician’s death by suicide went viral on social media, and included discussions on the responsibility of employers to identify and offer help. This week, we discuss how veterinary professionals and clinics respond to personal tragedies such as suicide, workplace harassment, bullying, and other personal tragedies and challenges and steps any veterinary clinic can take...

In the United States, it is estimated that almost 150,000 horses per year are unwanted. What is “unwanted”? The term is used to refer to horses that are old, injured, sick, unmanageable, or fail to meet expectations. The horse may have a lameness or illness…or he could just be the wrong color or gender. His problem could be life-threatening…or chronic and manageable. He may have a mild behavioral...

The Massachusetts State Senate recently approved a bill that ensures law enforcement officers' K-9 partners receive life-saving medical attention and transport in ambulances if they are injured in the line of duty. The bill, known as Nero's Law, was drafted in response to the shooting that claimed the life of Yarmouth Police K-9 Sgt. Sean Gannon, and severely injured his K-9 partner, Nero. … This...

Tell me if you’ve heard this one before: Some pet parents are combining current conspiracy theories with internet medical misinformation and forming personal beliefs that are turning our veterinary exam rooms into “Debate Night” or “Fight Clubs!” Are we at risk of losing our ability to have civil discourse with clients and compromise? This week is all about the polarization of pet parents and thei...

International Human Animal Bond Day is November 8, 2021! What’s that, you ask? We’ve got the President-elect of the Human Animal Bond Association (HABA) this week to explain! … This week we’re missing co-host Beckie Mossor, RVT as she’s deployed helping animals in need with the ASPCA. We miss you! … That leaves co-host Dr. Ernie Ward to handle the mics this week with HABA’s incoming President, Dr....

In a recent episode, we asked the Viewfinders if veterinarians were “real doctors” (and also if vet techs were “real nurses”). We received a flood of comments and DM’s and witnessed many social media threads and posts discussing our comments and questions. Thank you! … But some of the reasons and arguments supporting vet professionals as “real medical professionals” seemed, at first, to be solid,...

Are veterinarians “real doctors”? What about vet techs? Are they “medical professionals”? A recent veterinarian versus Peloton quarrel over a "medical professional discount" went public on social media, and we’ve got all the feels… … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward (a proud Peloton papa since the beginning) and Beckie Mossor, RVT (not in the Peloton fam) tackle the issue of what to do when the public fails t...

For the past year, controversies surrounding COVID-19 vaccination have dominated the news. Vaccine skepticism and hesitation is being reported at all time highs. Will COVID-19 vaccine skepticism cause an increase in pet parents refusing veterinary vaccines? We share our thoughts in this week’s episode. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the tough topic of vaccine hesitancy faced...

National Veterinary Technician Week is October 17-23, 2021! Can we get better working conditions, please? And other ways to celebrate your credentialed veterinary technicians in 2021. … This week hosts Beckie Mossor, RVT and Dr. Ernie Ward share their tips for celebrating your credentialed veterinary technicians in honor of the 28th annual NVTW (started in 1993, for all you veterinary medicine his...

Lately, we’ve been hearing stories of veterinary practice managers and owners making departing staff feel guilty for finding a better job. After a team member puts in their notice, they then face a barrage of guilt-inducing blame and judgment, further eroding their self confidence and assertiveness. But it doesn’t end there. … Hosts Beckie Mossor, RVT and Dr. Ernie Ward also share their concerns a...

There’s no shortage of veterinary job listings these days. As competition for veterinary professionals heats up, are some of these employment ads potentially misleading or misrepresenting their workplace reality? We tackle that tough topic and job search woes in this episode! Plus, we give our thoughts on creating better, more truthful job postings and why making employees your top priority is the...