The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) and the World Pet Obesity Association (WPOA) announced World Pet Obesity Awareness Day on October 11, 2023. Up to 63% of pet cats and 59% of pet dogs are estimated to be overweight or have obesity in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. This week, we have a clinical nutrition expert to discuss a recent pet owner survey and how you can help your pet patients seeking to achieve a healthy body condition. We’re pleased to share the mic with Dr. Jason Gagné ...
Oct 11, 2023•32 min
This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Veterinary Technician Week! We’ve got the President-Elect of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), Beckie Mossor, RVT, to tell us what you need to know and do! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss this year’s National Vet Tech Week theme, “Pearls of Wisdom,” and what it means to them. Our hosts share their top tips for celebrating your registered veterinary technicians and how you can avoid practice...
Oct 04, 2023•30 min
October is National Pet Wellness Month (and don’t forget October 11 is Pet Obesity Awareness Day - More on that in an upcoming podcast). This week, we discuss the importance of focusing on preventive veterinary care and how you can boost your wellness programs and plans. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, tackle the topic of creating and maintaining pet wellness plans and programs. The pair stresses the issue of pet care affordability and how inflation potentially risks making preventi...
Sep 27, 2023•25 min
It’s time to start thinking about how we can help our veterinary colleagues in need! This week, we discuss the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree, how to nominate a coworker in need, and how to help! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, review Beckie’s amazing non-profit created to help our needy colleagues, the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree (www.veterinarygivingtree.com/). Beckie reviews the origin of the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree, how many veterinary professionals they’ve helped, ...
Sep 20, 2023•22 min
The first North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) HiVE has arrived! This week, we’re joined by Paige Allen, MS, RVT, a familiar voice to the Viewfinders, to discuss her exciting new collaboration with NAVC to usher in a new era in veterinary technician/nurse conferences. And if you use the code VIEW, you can register for only $15! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, welcome back a dear friend and colleague, Paige Allen, to share news of the first NAVC HiVE to be held October 16-18, 2...
Sep 13, 2023•24 min
The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) has proclaimed September as Animal Pain Awareness Month, and this coincides with human medicine’s Pain Awareness Month. This episode features one of the outstanding veterinary professionals behind this initiative, a familiar voice on the podcast, and our friend, Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (anesthesia and analgesia). Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss the origins of Animal Pain Awareness Month and how Tom Ha...
Sep 06, 2023•35 min
Hypothetically speaking, have you ever encountered a veterinary staff member who added their parent’s pets to their personal account? Do those pets receive the same discounts, priorities, or privileges as other staff member’s own pets? What about calling for after-hours assistance on behalf of friends and family? Viewfinders, how far do pet care discounts and benefits extend? Do you have written policies governing these rules? Let’s get into it. Host Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, share ...
Aug 30, 2023•31 min
The controversies began before the official opening of the 2023 AVMA Convention in Denver. One debate that resurfaced this year was expanding the scope of practice, review of licensed veterinary technicians’ roles, and their permitted professional duties. Despite having no regulatory or enforcement abilities, the AVMA proclaimed it would pledge “to defend against expanding the scope of practice,” particularly in the role of a proposed midlevel practitioner. Unfortunately, the discussions quickly...
Aug 16, 2023•30 min
Most U.S. veterinary professionals are required to complete continuing education (CE) to maintain their professional licenses. But who chooses those CE opportunities, and who pays for them? How are you paid for time away from the clinic? Who decides when you can take CE? This week we discuss the perils and pitfalls of providing veterinary CE for employees - and the dangers of not. Viewfinders, there’s a lot to discuss! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, share stories from their own pra...
Aug 09, 2023
Veterinary medicine has a diversity and inclusion problem. While an issue that large may not be something most veterinary professionals believe they can solve, Dr. Valerie Marcano is committed to trying. This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, are thrilled to introduce you to one of the founders of Pawsilbilities Vet Med, Dr. Valerie Marcano. Pawsibilities Vet Med is an organization created to provide mentorship to minorities, LBGTQ+, and other marginalized communities in veterina...
Aug 02, 2023•33 min
Who would guess that choosing a software subscription or medical equipment could cause division and disharmony within a veterinary practice team? Join Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, in The Veterinary Viewfinder's latest podcast episode: "Who Decides What To Buy? Veterinary Team Decision-Making For Software and Equipment Purchases." This week our hosts delve into the critical aspect of choosing software and equipment in the veterinary world and discover the thought process behind these cr...
Jul 26, 2023•28 min
Who gets to go when it’s slow at your veterinary clinic? This week we tackle a tough topic rarely talked about, yet it happens in a variety of ways. Who gets to leave early can be divisive among your team if you don’t set boundaries and guidelines. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, begin with an overview of this seemingly innocuous issue. They share their own personal experiences, and lessons learned the hard way! This conversation is full of practical advice, and we think it should b...
Jul 19, 2023•23 min
What happens when an animal needs emergency care, and you can’t contact the owner? What if you don’t have adequate equipment or medications? Do you tell the owner? What if that animal is under your care or being boarded? What about giving a boarding pet an anti-diarrheal without explicit permission? Viewfinders, this week we’ve got a multitude of ethical dilemmas concerning veterinary medical consent. It’s a good one! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, share stories from the trenches r...
Jul 12, 2023•27 min
We talk a lot about the importance of rewarding and recognizing your veterinary team members, but what about celebrating them? This week we discuss the difference between benefits, incentives, and rewards and why all are essential in maintaining a harmonious and healthy workplace environment. Viewfinders, there’s much more to this topic than an “Employee of the Month” certificate! Host Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, take a deep dive into what it means to celebrate veterinary clinic emplo...
Jul 05, 2023•32 min
As PRIDE Month comes to a close, we wanted to share our thoughts, experiences, and tips for being a better ally for the veterinary profession’s LBGTQ+ community. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, reveal their experiences and learnings from their own LBGTQ+ advocacy efforts. Dr. Ward shares lessons from his political campaigning, and Beckie reviews how she has grown in her allyship efforts. For more information, check out these excellent resources: BlendVet: www.blend.vet Chapter VIII:...
Jun 28, 2023•24 min
Have you ever talked smack about another veterinary clinic? Have you ever had a client bad mouth their previous vet? This week we examine how we talk about our veterinary colleagues and how we may be inadvertently “talking trash” about each other. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, explore the intentional and unintentional ways our comments and questions may negatively impact our colleagues. From clients questioning prior care to veterinary professionals publicly dismissing others’ opi...
Jun 21, 2023•30 min
Do you have a boss or manager who constantly checks everything you do? Do you feel excessively supervised? Does your boss tell you what task needs to be accomplished and by when… but then watches your every move and frequently criticize your work and processes? If so, you may be micromanaged. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, begin this podcast by defining micromanagement in the veterinary clinic. They discuss a micromanager's typical traits and actions and why some people are more li...
Jun 14, 2023•33 min
“Sweetie, can you help me?” “Hey, Doc, can you check this out?” “Honey, that’s very kind of you.” Do any of these terms make you feel disrespected? Uncomfortable? It doesn’t matter why; if terms like these make you feel uneasy, you’re entitled to speak up. This week, we discuss inadvertently hurtful words and phrases that veterinary professionals frequently encounter in practice. We also discuss ableist language and how you can become a more sensitive a respectful communicator. Hosts Dr. Ernie W...
Jun 07, 2023•29 min
Veterinary appointment no-shows can wreak havoc on your schedule, decrease revenue, and lower team morale. This week, we examine strategies for dealing with veterinary clients who fail to show up for their appointments. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, tackle the too-common problem of veterinary appointment no-shows. Dr. Ward shares the history of strategies to deal with no-shows over the past 30 years and why the issue is more critical than ever. Beckie offers several solutions to c...
May 31, 2023•31 min
Veterinary Clinic Violence - Shively Animal Hospital Fatal Shooting This is another conversation about violence in veterinary clinics that we wish we didn’t have to have. This week we want to discuss some of the lessons veterinary professionals can learn following the fatal shooting of a veterinary team member at the Shively Animal Hospital in Kentucky. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss the growing threat of workplace violence in veterinary clinics and steps to take to prepare...
May 24, 2023•27 min
Viewfinders, we've got lots of questions about swapping stuff with other veterinary clinics! Chances are you've asked to borrow or been asked by a neighboring veterinary clinic for medications or supplies you've run out of. How do you charge for them? What happens if you discover your price is significantly different than your competitor's? Do you even send clients to another practice or business to pick up something you're out of? Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, tackle the tough - ...
May 17, 2023•28 min
We know there are significant health benefits to sharing your home with a pet. So why don’t more older people have a companion animal? This week, we explore the possible stigma and biases faced by seniors who could benefit from pet ownership. Viewfinders, this is a good one! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, tackle a tough topic rarely talked about: the fears, concerns, and even biases faced by older people considering adding a new pet into their home. Many of these perceived risks an...
May 10, 2023•27 min
“Lasting hope starts here.” This week, we’d like to introduce the Viewfinders to a fantastic new veterinary support organization, the Veterinary Hope Foundation. We’re thrilled to speak with one of the co-founders, Dr. Blair McConnel, and the head of the Mental Health Professionals for the organization, Krista Martin, LISW-CP, LCSW. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, review veterinary professionals' unique mental health challenges and how the free Veterinary Hope Foundation support gro...
May 03, 2023•32 min
It’s Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Week, and we’ve got the person who started it all, Ethel Pawlak! Joins us to celebrate our amazing veterinary receptionists April 23-29 as Veterinary Receptionist Week! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, are joined by the person who started Veterinary Receptionist Week some nineteen years ago, Ethel Pawlak. We share her story of decades in veterinary practice and why she believes veterinary receptionists deserve their own special week of recogn...
Apr 26, 2023•34 min
This week, we’re delighted to bring you a special episode on large animal and livestock veterinary technicians featuring The Cattle Vet Tech, Meg Harrington, BS, CVT. Meg shares the latest update (and back story) on the recent changes to expand the scope of work veterinary technicians in her home state of Arkansas can perform and why she’s so passionate about large animal medicine! We don’t talk nearly enough about our large animal colleagues nearly enough on the Veterinary Viewfinder. This week...
Apr 19, 2023•36 min
There have been a lot of legal moves lately regarding the roles, regulations, and titles of U.S. veterinary technicians. This week we look closer at what’s happening in several states and why all veterinary professionals must stay informed. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, review the recent legal maneuvers in Arkansas and what impact these changes may have around the country. This week's episode also discusses new rules proposed in California, Colorado, and elsewhere. Viewfinders, in...
Apr 12, 2023•28 min
This week we’re delighted to have one of the founders of The Bridge Club join us. Catherine Haskins has spent much of her career behind the scenes in veterinary medicine, and now that she’s stepping out front, she’s got a lot to say! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, share the mic with Catherine Haskins of The Bridge Club. In her words, The Bridge Club “is a critical conversation company initiating meaningful conversations to elevate veterinary medicine. We strongly believe thoughtful...
Apr 05, 2023•34 min
Chances are, if you’re a veterinary technician, you were asked for a “working interview” during the hiring process. This week, we’ve got a veterinary technician who cautions that not only may working interviews be illegal, but that may put interviewees at considerable risk. Viewfinders, you don’t want to miss this one! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, are joined by Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS (ECC), owner of Veterinary Team Training. The trio talks about all things “working interview,...
Mar 29, 2023•35 min
Working in a veterinary clinic can be stressful and downright depressing at times. A positive leadership team and support structure can make your job more enjoyable and meaningful. This week we’ve got Josh Vaisman to discuss his survey called “Leadership & Workplace Experience Study: The Impact of Positive Leadership on Veterinary Teams.” Viewfinders, this is a conversation we think you’ll find helpful for your team! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, are joined by Josh Vaisman, MA...
Mar 22, 2023•30 min
Many veterinary professionals are familiar with Class IV or “cold” laser therapy for pet patients suffering from arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. The challenge many pet parent face is bringing their dog or cat to the vet clinic for regular treatments. This week, MedcoVet’s CEO, Alon Landa, joins us to discuss how veterinary professionals can prescribe in-home laser therapy for their patients. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, RVT, are joined by Alon Landa to discuss how vets ca...
Mar 15, 2023•27 min
