The holiday season is a time for giving, and this week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and co-host Beckie Mosser, MPA, RVT, spotlight an incredible initiative that helps veterinary professionals in need: the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree. In this heartfelt episode, Beckie shares the origin story of her nonprofit organization, which she founded to provide financial and emotional relief to colleagues struggling during the winter holidays. Whether covering unexpected bills or simply ...
Dec 04, 2024•22 min
In this week's episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mosser, MPA, RVT, dive into a hot-button issue in the veterinary profession: the effectiveness (or alleged lack) of state veterinary medical boards in addressing complaints and disciplining licensees. Inspired by a recent investigative report from North Carolina, this discussion examines whether veterinary professionals are being held accountable when complaints arise, how these cases ...
Nov 27, 2024•24 min
In this episode of “The Veterinary Viewfinder,” hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, MPA, RVT, discuss Colorado's groundbreaking Proposition 129, which officially establishes the role of Veterinary Professional Associates (VPAs). Renowned animal law attorney Mark Cushing, a leading voice in shaping veterinary legal frameworks around the U.S., joins the conversation. Proposition 129 introduces VPAs, a new position aimed at expanding the scope of veterinary teams. Mark Cushing shares his perspe...
Nov 20, 2024•34 min
In this week's episode of "The Veterinary Viewfinder," Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, RVT, MPA, shine a spotlight on the crucial yet often unsung role of veterinary practice managers. November 10-16, 2024, is Veterinary Practice Manager Recognition Week, a time dedicated to acknowledging the dedication and tireless efforts these professionals bring to veterinary clinics. Dr. Ward and Beckie dive into practice managers' daily responsibilities and challenges, from streamlining clinic operations...
Nov 13, 2024•23 min
In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, RVT, MPA, dive into an urgent issue facing veterinary professionals: the decline of preventive care visits and the growing trend of pet owners seeking wellness advice outside the clinic. As wellness exams, vaccinations, and senior care consultations decline, veterinarians are feeling the impact. With the rise of AI-driven tools, (questionable) social media influencers, and accessible online advice, pet owners are tur...
Nov 06, 2024•31 min
Welcome to this spine-chilling episode of "The Veterinary Viewfinder!" This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mosser dive into the eerie world of (allegedly) haunted veterinary clinics. With Halloween around the corner, we're exploring the paranormal tales that have left many veterinary teams wondering if they're truly alone during those late-night shifts. From shadowy figures seen after-hours to strange, unexplained noises echoing through clinic halls, our colleag...
Oct 30, 2024•30 min
In this week's episode of "The Veterinary Viewfinder," hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, MPA, RVT, shine a spotlight on a vital yet often overlooked part of veterinary teams—sales representatives. From pharmaceutical, lab, and food reps to distributors and specialty companies, these professionals play a key role in keeping veterinary clinics running smoothly and efficiently. As the end of the year approaches and fresh off National Veterinary Technician Week, many clinics rely on their reps...
Oct 23, 2024•30 min
In this week's episode of "The Veterinary Viewfinder," Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor tackle an unexpectedly tough topic: the controversy surrounding National Veterinary Technician Week. While this week, from October 13 to 19, is dedicated to celebrating the tireless efforts and vital contributions of credentialed veterinary technicians, not everyone is on board. Beckie shares her perspective on the growing divide within the veterinary community regarding how—a...
Oct 16, 2024•27 min
In this episode of “The Veterinary Viewfinder,” Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mosser discuss one of the most challenging and emotional issues facing veterinary professionals—natural disasters. With Hurricane Milton barreling toward Florida and the aftermath of Hurricane Helene still being felt across the southeastern U.S., veterinary clinics and communities are in urgent need of help. Ernie and Beckie share firsthand experiences of the devastation and the inspiring r...
Oct 09, 2024•25 min
This week, we focus on two critical issues. First, it’s World Pet Obesity Awareness Week, October 7–13, 2024, and we need your help, veterinary professionals, to participate in our biennial Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey by signing up at PetObesityPrevention.org. Joining us this week is board-certified veterinary nutritionist Martha Cline from Purina to dive into the communication challenges surrounding pet obesity, discuss spectrum of care issues with nutrition and obesity, and explore cutting-e...
Oct 02, 2024•39 min
In this week's episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mosser tackle a modern issue affecting veterinary professionals worldwide: communication on messaging platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. While these tools are essential for team collaboration, they can also blur the lines of professionalism, leading to "salty" exchanges that could impact your career. Dr. Ward and Beckie dive deep into the nuances of maintaining professionalism w...
Sep 25, 2024•30 min
In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, RVT, MPA, tackle a potentially rising concern in veterinary clinics: clients questioning whether their veterinary professionals are licensed. As public awareness around veterinary credentials grows, more pet owners are asking whether the person caring for their pet is licensed to perform certain tasks. This shift brings new challenges and sometimes uncomfortable conversations with clients. Join Dr. Ward and ...
Sep 18, 2024•30 min
In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mosser tackle a surprising new challenge in the veterinary profession: corporate layoffs. Once confined to tech companies and big businesses, layoffs have begun to impact veterinary professionals, raising questions about job stability in corporate settings versus private practice. Dr. Ward, with over 30 years of veterinary experience, reflects on the seismic shift, offering insights int...
Sep 11, 2024•32 min
In this episode of the Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mosser, RVT, MPA, discuss a tough and often uncomfortable topic: what to do when a new hire isn't cutting it in your veterinary clinic. Whether handling animals, interacting with clients, or managing information, some employees struggle to meet the demands of the job. Dr. Ward and Beckie explore the signs that an employee may not have the necessary skills, the potential impacts on your practi...
Sep 04, 2024•24 min
Self-care is crucial for a thriving veterinary career, yet everyday challenges often hinder our pursuit of well-being. This week on the Veterinary Viewfinder, we delve into some of the most common reasons people fail to adhere to self-care practices: too little time, money, and ability to do it. Our special return guest is Rebecca Newman, a certified veterinary technician and well-being expert. Rebecca shares strategies to overcome self-imposed barriers, helping you kickstart your wellness journ...
Aug 28, 2024•39 sec
In this episode of the Veterinary Viewfinder, co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mosser tackle a critical but often overlooked issue in the veterinary profession: climate change. -- As human medical schools in the United States and worldwide begin to integrate climate change into their curricula, the veterinary field needs to catch up. Dr. Ward and Beckie discuss the growing importance of addressing climate change within veterinary education and continuing profes...
Aug 21, 2024•24 min
In this episode of "The Veterinary Viewfinder," veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mosser explore the inspiring world of Olympic athletes and the valuable lessons they offer for veterinary professionals. As the Olympic Games have come to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on the extraordinary performances and personal stories that captivated the world. But what can veterinarians and their teams learn from these elite athletes? Dr. Ward and Becky dive i...
Aug 14, 2024•30 min
In this episode of the Veterinary Viewfinder podcast, we delve into the future of veterinary diagnostics with our special guest, Ed Goluch, PhD, CEO and founder of QSM Diagnostics. Join co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mosser as they explore the innovative in-home diagnostic testing technology developed by QSM Diagnostics and its potential to revolutionize veterinary medicine. Dr. Goluch shares insights into how their cutting-edge technology works, making diagn...
Aug 07, 2024•32 min
This week, we’re celebrating our 400th consecutive weekly episode! What a landmark! This week, co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mosser dive into the hotly debated topic of skills testing for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. With discussions about licensing and credentialing gaining momentum nationwide, we examine the benefits and pitfalls of incorporating skills testing into professional licensing requirements. Is our current system sufficient, or is i...
Jul 31, 2024•28 min
In this week's episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Registered Veterinary Technician Becky Mosser delve into the nuances of personal preferences in veterinary practice. It's common for veterinary professionals to have certain tasks they prefer to avoid, but how do you know when pickiness crosses the line? Join us as we explore the delicate balance between maintaining professional boundaries and ensuring comprehensive patient care. We'll discuss what you should and shouldn't e...
Jul 24, 2024•30 min
In this episode of the Veterinary Viewfinder, we dive into a historic achievement for veterinary technicians: their inclusion in the Minnesota Veterinary Practice Act. This monumental change, a result of nearly two decades of advocacy, means that the term "veterinary technician" will be protected by the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine (MBVM), along with an interesting pathway for licensureWe'll talk with one of the key architects of this groundbreaking legislation, Kim Horne, AAS, CVT, VT...
Jul 17, 2024•30 min
In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Becky Mosser, RVT, MPA, dive into the hot topic of job-hopping for higher salaries. As the trend of leaving jobs within the first two years for better pay continues, they explore whether this is a wise move for veterinary professionals - and the long-term health of the profession. Join them as they discuss the potential personal implications, risks, and benefits of chasing a bigger payc...
Jul 10, 2024•23 min
In this week's episode of the Veterinary Viewfinder, we explore an unexpected trend: American pet owners traveling to Mexico for veterinary care. From surgeries to dentistry and a range of medical procedures, more and more people are crossing the border to seek affordable veterinary care for their pets. We'll delve into the stories behind this phenomenon, discuss why it's happening, and offer insights that veterinary professionals need to know. Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, MPA, R...
Jul 03, 2024•21 min
This week, our hosts travel to the annual American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convention in Austin, Texas. Discover the heated debates and critical updates on veterinary medical ethics arising from the AVMA’s House of Delegates approval of a recently revised Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (PVME). Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Becky Mosser, MPA, RVT, as they delve into some of the changes to the PVME that they believe will affect many veterinary professionals. Our duo starts b...
Jun 26, 2024•31 min
Medical mistakes happen in veterinary practice, but who pays the price? This week on the Veterinary Viewfinder, we discuss the tough topic of financial accountability in veterinary practice. From malpractice and negligence to honest mistakes and simple errors, we unpack the ethical and financial considerations that determine who pays the bill. Viewfinders, this is a thought-provoking discussion that every veterinary professional should hear. 🎤🐶😺🎤👨⚕️👩⚕️🩺🎙️🐶😺👨⚕️👩⚕️🩺🎙️ Hosts Dr. E...
Jun 19, 2024•24 min
The news is full of new offerings for services for dogs, cats, and other animals. This week on the Veterinary Viewfinder, we address the frequent requests for advice on pet services from our clients, friends, and family. What could possibly go wrong? Turns out a lot. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, explore the turbulence a luxury dog airline encounters and the impact of a major pet insurance company canceling hundreds of thousands of policies. Learn how these developments affec...
Jun 12, 2024•23 min
In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, we dive into the recent legislative change in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 382, exempting the Board of Veterinary Medicine from continuing education requirements. Co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, discuss the implications of this decision, how it could impact veterinary professionals across the country, and the lessons we can learn. Tune in to explore the potential effects on veterinary practice and the b...
Jun 05, 2024•29 min
🎙️🐾 Welcome back to the Veterinary Viewfinder! For nearly eight years, we've fearlessly tackled the toughest topics in veterinary medicine every single week. This week, we're diving back into the wild world of social media, where controversy is always just a click away. But here's the twist – we're exploring the fine line between being a “social media influencer” and being truly influential in the vet med community. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion – it's one you won't want to scro...
May 29, 2024•30 min
This week's discussion delves into a tough yet all-too-common veterinary practice scenario. How do you respond as a licensed veterinary professional when asked to train someone to perform tasks they lack the necessary licenses or credentials for? As healthcare professionals, we often silently grapple with such dilemmas in our clinical settings. Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, for an intriguing and potentially controversial conversation that explores the complexities and po...
May 22, 2024•32 min
Choosing the perfect summer read can be challenging for busy veterinary professionals. As vacation season approaches, we’re excited to share some top book recommendations tailored for the Viewfinders. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or taking a well-deserved break, our recommendations have something for everyone. Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, as they discuss their latest favorite reads. From Pulitzer Prize-winning novels to insightful self-help and leadership books, ...
May 15, 2024•39 min
