Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

What happens when a team member needs to bring their pet in during recovery or to avoid a behavioral problem at home? Where do you keep it? Who cares for it? Is the employee charged? How long can they bring their pet? What happens if you run out of space? If they’re sick, when are they examined? These are but a few of the potential problems that arise when bringing personal pets into your practice...

Chances are you’ve received at least one unsolicited plea for veterinary medical advice from a friend, family member, or some random person on social media. How do you respond politely and professionally? How do you set boundaries with folks in the “real world?” This week we look deeper into one of the more frustrating - and stressful - aspects of being a veterinary professional. Hosts Dr. Ernie W...

Applying for a Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS), work promotion, or a new job can be daunting. This week we talk to Heather Carter, MPS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia), about the process to apply for a VTS and how to land that new job or new title! Host Dr. Ernie Ward is flying solo this week as Beckie Mossor, RVT, has an unexpected last-minute conflict. Luckily for the Viewfinders, we’re...

It's not often you get to talk with a two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, eleven-time New York Times Best-Selling author, human performance expert, and a dear friend. Viewfinders, we are thrilled and honored to bring you another exclusive interview with the extraordinary Steven Kotler to talk about his new book, "Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad," and how you can apply his research to reach you...

The 2022 NAVTA Demographics survey was released during VMX 2023. This week we discuss the findings, actions we can take, and questions for the future. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and President-Elect of NAVTA, Beckie Mossor, RVT, take a deep dive into the findings of this critical survey. The last demographics survey was conducted in 2016, and, wow, some things have changed - and others remained, sadly, t...

This week we’re recording live from the world’s largest veterinary conference - VMX, in Orlando, Florida! We cover the happenings, who’s here, and our vision for the future of VMX. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, are recording live from the floor of VMX 2023. They’re joined by over 27,000 veterinary professionals interested in learning about the latest advancement in veterinary medici...

As we begin a new year, many veterinary professionals set goals to become professional writers, speakers, or influencers. This week we share our advice for aspiring future leaders and lessons we’ve learned that may accelerate your progress. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, review their journeys into the world of veterinary writing and speaking and their top tips for anyone interested i...

What better way to spend a New Year’s Day than visiting a veterinary emergency clinic - as a patient and client! Our very own Beckie Mossor, RVT, had to take her doggo to the ER on New Year’s Day, and she gained a lot of insight into how you can provide better patient care and client service. Viewfinders, there are a lot of good lessons in this week’s episode. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Motor...

Predicting the future is tough…but we do it anyway every year! This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss some of the topics and trends they believe veterinary professionals will be talking about in 2023 and beyond. Viewfinders, we hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season! Thank you for listening in 2022, and we hope to share your speakers for half an hour each week in 202...

Happy holidays, Viewfinders! This week we’ve got a special rendition of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” written by our very own Beckie Mossor, RVT! ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the clinic Not a creature was stirring, but there’s always a cynic. “Seems awful quiet,” they said; Oh yes, they did dare, For at that very moment, they knew the rush soon be there.   The front staff...

If your social media is anything like ours, you’ve seen a lot of questions and concerns about the upcoming National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) Board of Directors elections. You may have also been following Veterinarians Against Ventilation Shutdown (vavsd.org (http://vavsd.org)) and their efforts to have the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reclassify ve...

Non-compete clauses have been standard practice in veterinarian contracts for decades. This week we're joined by veterinary hiring consultant Paul Diaz to discuss why he believes non-competes should be abolished. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, share the mic with Paul Diaz to review the history and usage of a non-compete clause in employment contracts for veterinary professionals. Pau...

Winston, an unarguably adorable French bulldog, took top honors at the 2022 National Dog Show. Historically, breeds crowned Best in Show surged in popularity. Will Winston's win result in a flurry of French bulldogs this year? Viewfinders, this is another potentially sticky situation for veterinary professionals. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss the dichotomy of a French bulldo...

Happy Six Years to us! And you, the Viewfinder Family! This week, Dr. Marty Becker joins us to talk all things veterinary! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, want to thank the Viewfinders for their loyal listening over the past 312 episodes. This week we're honored to share the mic with a dear friend, Dr. Marty Becker. Dr. Becker and Ernie share stories from their "old days" and pontific...

The Washington State Veterinary Board of Governors (WSVBG) recently voted to approve a private veterinary practice’s proposal to establish a self-serving apprenticeship program as an alternative pathway to licensure as a Veterinary Technician in the state. The Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians (WSAVT), NAVTA, AVMA, and several other veterinary groups opposed the change. This w...

The holidays are here! And that means the stress many veterinary professionals feel is climbing faster than Old Saint Nick on his sleigh Christmas Eve! But it's not too late to prepare your clients and team and avoid some holiday stress. We've got a checklist of the top things you should do in your clinic before Thanksgiving! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, share their most significan...

It’s the holidays! If you’re like most veterinary clinics, clients will begin showering you with love - and gifts - very soon! But what happens when those well-intentioned gifts carry unexpected consequences? What about holiday tipping, homemade food, and a host of other seemingly innocent gestures that can cause division (or food-borne illness) in your clinic? Viewfinders, get ready for a convers...

We often talk about the alleged importance and benefits of exit interviews in the veterinary profession. But what happens when an exit interview turns into a slug-fest? Do you really get truthful information? This week we discuss the pros and cons, risks and benefits of exit interviews, and whether you should even bother in 2022. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT share a recent question...

Each holiday season, many of our veterinary colleagues endure financial hardships. Over the past few years, these challenges have been complicated by the pandemic and inflation. That’s why three licensed veterinary technicians, Beckie Mossor, Crystal Vaquero, and Lily Preston started The Veterinary Industry Giving Tree, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterinary professionals in nee...

National Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week is October 16-22, 2022. This week we celebrate our amazing licensed veterinary technicians! The “backbone,” “heart,” or “insert organ system of your choice here” of veterinary medicine! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, take time this week to talk about the invaluable contributions veterinary technicians make to the veterinary profession....

Veterinary colleagues, we need your help with the 2022 US Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey! Sign up today at PetObesityPrevention.org. This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss how veterinary professionals can help gather information on pet obesity rates in the US this October. The duo discusses findings from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) 2021 Pet Owner Weight...

“Acting your wage” is the latest social media, well, TikTok, trend to hit the US workplace. Gen Z’ers have taken “quiet quitting” and defined it in their terms. Bonus, there’s also taking a “workcation” popping up on feeds everywhere. Viewfinders, you don’t want to miss this one! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, explore what “act your wage” means for veterinary practices, the root caus...

Have you ever worked in a veterinary clinic that split vaccine dosages? What about recommending half-dose heartworm or flea preventives? Ever stray so far off label that you felt uncomfortable? If you’ve ever encountered one of these dilemmas, you don’t want to miss this episode! (Although you may need to turn the volume down, so your boss doesn’t hear.) Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT...

With the fall veterinary CE season ramping up, we thought we’d discuss what to wear and how to act at CE events. Yes, we had to go there. Listen and you’ll learn why. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT share some of their tales of attire and attitudes at the scores of vet med events they’ve attended. From flip flops and tank tops, to feet propped up on chairs, to lecture hall Candy Crush...

Feedback: everyone needs it to improve. But what happens when we get unexpected negative feedback? How can veterinary professionals separate “context from content” and learn the valuable lessons nearly any form of feedback offers? For a “profession of perfectionists,” there’s a lot to discuss in this episode! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, start by defining what valid feedback looks...