Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

EPISODE 200! 200 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS! WOO-HOO! THANK YOU! … We talk a lot on the Veterinary Viewfinder about the importance of self-care and wellness, including taking time off for yourself. Even though we may escape our veterinary clinics from time to time, how to we truly disconnect from the incessant text questions, prescription approvals, and myriad of other interrupters during “time off?” … Thi...

Many veterinary professionals are beginning to plan for their 2021 Continuing Education requirements. Many of us have questions and concerns about coronavirus and conferences. Is it safe? How are the facilities disinfecting? Are masks required? How full will the lecture rooms and exhibit halls be? Will food be served? This week, we have an exclusive conversation with NAVC CEO Gene O’Neill and the...

Pet parents and veterinary professionals are increasingly getting their news, information, and even medical advice from social media. With the trend toward shorter forms of content, is this helping or hurting pet care and veterinary professionals? … This week our co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the impact Tik Tok, Instagram, Snapchat are having on the veterinarians, veterinar...

Crowdsourcing has become a routine decision-making tactic for many veterinary professionals. Whether asking for advice on social media, posing a challenging case on a medical forum, or asking for help with a personal issue, throwing our questions and concerns into the internet has become increasingly popular and practical. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the pros and cons of a...

COVID-19 has been emotionally, physically, and spiritually rough for many veterinary professionals. Many of us find ourselves in a “pandemic misery rut.” … This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT get real about self-care and building mental and emotional fortitude to deal with the onslaught of confrontational veterinary clients, long hours, and the total chaos that we are calling the...

Millions of pets have become "Pandemic Pets" as quarantined homes welcomed furry friends to help ease the stress of disruptions caused by COVID-19. ... This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the topic of whether or not these pandemic pets are receiving proper veterinary preventive care and if this puts these newly-adopted dogs and cats at greater risk of preventable diseases....

Veterinary clinics around the country are reporting more confrontations with angry pet parents. This week, we dive into why this may be happening and what your veterinary team can do to help. … The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge veterinary professionals around the world. On disturbing trend is increased conflict with frustrated and angry, sometimes violent, clients. … This week, hosts Dr...

The current COVID-19 global pandemic has certainly accelerated many changes within the veterinary and pet care professions. This week, we tackle the emerging trend of pet parents purchasing veterinary medical devices and in-home diagnostics and what this means for our profession. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss a quiet shift in pet parents beginning to do more in-home self pe...

Viewfinders, Beckie and Ernie wanted to let everyone know they’re safe and thank you for your messages of concern and support. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT live where Hurricane Isaias made a direct hit on August 3, 2020. … Dr. Ward shares his storm experiences and why they’ll call this the “Fire Hurricane” in the history books. He recounts the flooding, fires, and hurricane force...

This week we’re proud to bring you a special conversation with North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine’s Director of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Dr. Allen Cannedy. … Dr. Allen Cannedy is a dedicated mentor and recruiter of students from groups that are underrepresented in veterinary medicine. For example, he regularly invites pre-college aged students to shadow him as he makes...

We’re used to talking about veterinary professionals being attacked online and experiencing cyberbullying by angry clients, organizations, and the general public. But what happens when veterinary professionals cyberbully each other? … This week we’re joined by a veterinarian who has been cyberbullied by her professional colleagues and a therapist who specializes in helping veterinary professionals...

This week we take a moment to remember the loss of Summer Taylor with special guest Jade Velasquez, LVT, president of Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians, chair of NAVTA's PR committee, and sits on NAVTA's Membership committee. ... Next, we tackle the tough topic of pet insurance fraud with a longtime Viewfinder, Eliza Mariner, RVT. Eliza reached out to us by email after confron...

As people around the country (and the world) have been forced into working from home and reduced social interactions, some people have filled their days with drinking excess alcohol or lighting up a joint or two. … Many veterinary practices are reporting higher than usual numbers of inebriated, intoxicated, and otherwise wasted pet parents visiting their clinics. … This week our hosts, Dr. Ernie W...

Millions of pets have been fostered, adopted, or somehow wiggled their way into innumerable homes and hearts around the country (and the world). How can veterinary professionals help this new generation of pet parents make the right pet care decisions when they’re still “Pre-Pet Parents?” … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT go over some simple and effective ways any veterinary practice c...

The gut microbiome has been intensely studied for the past 20 years, yet we’re only now beginning to understand it’s impact on overall health. … This week we have one of the top researchers in the animal microbiome, Dr. Holly Ganz from Animal Biome in Berkeley, California. … Dr. Ganz shares her story of her 20 years researching the gut microbiome, her development of “poo pills” to treat a variety...

Resilience: “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” But what does it mean for veterinary professionals? … This week we’re joined again with Dr. Sarah Wooten to discuss the topic of bouncing back from failure and confronting stress in practice. Developing and nurturing our resilience seems even more essential these days. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT get real...

This week we’re handing over our mic for an important message from Ahsante the Artist on “How to be a Good Ally - Identity, Privilege, Resistance.” Although this presentation was originally published on YouTube in August 2017, we think its message is particularly meaningful today. … You can watch her powerful video here: https://youtu.be/q7ElX4GFQpI and visit her website here: https://www.ahsantet...

Could an experimental Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) drug be the secret to treating human COVID-19? … This week we’re thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with the California-based Anivive Lifesciences team to discuss their recent FDA submittal to use their experimental FIP drug on human coronavirus patients. … Anivive’s Founder & CEO, Mr. Dylan Balsz joins us along with Dr. David Bru...

As people begin to return to work and resume the “new normal” of daily life, many veterinary professionals worry if we are communicating adequately with millions of new “pandemic pet parents.” … This week, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the topics of how to ensure pet parents don’t miss essential veterinary care and services, socialization and training tips, and how to stay con...

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused veterinary professionals to rethink nearly every aspect of veterinary practice. This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss some of the client communication lessons we’ve learned, and how we can apply them permanently. … Dr. Ward shares a real-life example from a friend’s recent curbside appointment, and what the client had to say about the experi...

With the current COVID-19 pandemic, the human-animal bond has arguably never been more important and essential for human well-being. … This week we’re delighted to be joined by the newly elected President of the Human Animal Bond Institute and longtime animal welfare advocate, veterinarian Dr. Laird Goodman. … Dr. Goodman joins hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT to share this story of ani...

Have you ever witnessed something in veterinary practice or animal handling that you felt uncomfortable about? Who do you turn to if you suspect animal abuse, negligence, and malpractice is occurring? What if your employer doesn’t provide adequate PPE or a safe working environment in the COVID-19 era? … This week we’re joined by veterinarian an attorney Lance Roasa (www.roasalaw.com) to discuss th...

This week we’re honored to bring the Viewfinders an exclusive interview with the new CEO of the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) Gene O’Neill. … Gene shares his story of going from CPA to CEO of the NAVC with hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT. … This episode reveals how Gene transitioned from serving as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the NAVC for the past 7 years into his new...

Many of our veterinary friends and colleagues are stuck in their hometowns (and homes) and missing continuing education (CE) conferences and veterinary organizational meetings. That's no good. … So Beckie and a group of super-friends decided to bring a global conference to you! … This week, host veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by a Veterinary Viewfinder regular guest,...

Veterinary telemedicine is booming, like it or not, and Dr. Ward says you can blame it on the coronavirus pandemic. … This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT take a closer examination into what veterinary telemedicine looks like during the COVID-19 crisis. … The pair share best practices, observations, and state their case why they believe it’s time for veterinary telemedicine to be...