Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

By Dr. Ernie Ward & Beckie Mossor, RVT

What's Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast about?

Weekly podcast dedicated to "tackling the toughest topics in veterinary medicine." Hosted by veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor. Candid, irreverent, provocative, educational, and occasionally funny conversations about issues that impact the veterinary profession. Non-stop since 2016.

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Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast episodes:

04.24.2024
Rising Complaints about Veterinary Prices - Tips for Preventing and Handling
For the past 7.5 years, the Veterinary Viewfinder has strived to tackle the toughest topics in veterinary medicine each week. This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite tough topics: money. Lately, social media seems abuzz with folks complaining about the...
04.17.2024
North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists (NAAVR) - with Debbie Boone, CVPM
A tough job that we often talk about on the Veterinary Viewfinder is the role of a veterinary receptionist, a customer service representative, or whatever you choose to call those invaluable folks up front who are, quite frankly, taking a lot of the...
04.10.2024
What happens if you disagree with a veterinary client on pet care? Tips for handling these difficult conversations.
A tough topic that every veterinary professional will confront at some time in their career is a disagreement with a pet parent over how they are doing something regarding care. This difference can be about diet, anti-vaxxing, or a whole host of other...
04.03.2024
Are You Giving (or Getting) These Three Types of Feedback?
A lack of appropriate feedback leads to failure. You need to give your team at least three types of feedback to succeed. This week, we discuss the three types of feedback you should give - and receive - to excel in veterinary...
03.27.2024
The Benefits of 4-Year Vet Tech Degrees and Innovations in Online Programs with App State’s Jennifer Serling, RVT, VTES
Veterinary technician programs have expanded in remarkable ways over the past decade, and there's a push towards getting a four-year degree, with even more advanced degrees on the horizon. This week, we're speaking with the interim Director of Appalachian State University's Veterinary...
03.20.2024
Workplace Risks in Veterinary Practice: How Safe is Your Clinic?
Working in a veterinary clinic can pose many hazards. This week, we want to discuss some of the common workplace risks of veterinary practice and why we want you to stop doing them because they are putting you at risk....
03.13.2024
Have We Forgotten Our Manners in Veterinary Practice? Tips and Tactics to Address Generational Differences
Have we forgotten how to behave in the clinic these days? This week, we want to discuss generational differences and how we can help improve each other's manners and etiquette when dealing with clients and co-workers. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and...
03.06.2024
What should you do if a competing vet clinic’s staff is rude when requesting records?
What happens when one veterinary clinic's personnel is rude or short with another? We're talking about when you call for records, they are not happy about it - and let you know how they feel! This week, we are talking about the...
02.28.2024
First Veterinary Technician Elected as President of Viticus Group (WVC) - Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR
This week, we’re honored to have a conversation with the first veterinary technician elected as President of the Viticus Group (WVC) Board of Directors, Heather Prendergast, RVT! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, are joined by a friend...
02.27.2024
Sad Triangles of Pizza and Moldy Leftovers: Veterinary Clinic Common Area Disasters
Is your break area always a mess? Whose responsibility is it to clean it? And what about coffee? Do you pay? Or does your boss? This week, we discuss a multitude of messes that can occur in the common areas...
02.14.2024
What We Love About the Veterinary Profession - Valentine's Day 2024
Happy Valentine’s Day, Viewfinders! This holiday, we want to share what we love most about the veterinary profession! In this special Valentine’s Day 2024 podcast, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, reveal the most beloved aspects of working...
02.07.2024
Is your Veterinary Clinic Really Prepared for an Emergency?
Workplace violence. Natural disasters. Fires and floods. These stories dominate the news. This week, we discuss whether or not most veterinary clinics are really prepared in the event of an active shooter, power failure, or other emergencies. Viewfinders, this is...
01.31.2024
2023 Veterinary Technician of the Year - Sam Geiling, CVT
This week, we're proud to introduce you to an extraordinary veterinary technician, Sam Geiling, CVT. Sam has just been named the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) Technician of the Year! Viewfinders, her journey is exceptional and sure to...
01.24.2024
Overwhelming Veterinary Practice Messages: Healthy Use and Boundaries on Slack, Teams, and Groups
Are you overwhelmed by Slack, Teams, Groups, and Text work messages? Do you feel guilty when responding to a workplace thread late? Ever judge a teammate for not responding to a message? If so, welcome to the new world of...
01.17.2024
The Importance of the Training Struggle : How to Create Training Guardrails and a Culture of Curiosity
Training requires struggle and even failure at times. But how do we apply this principle when training veterinary medical personnel? In this podcast, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, delve into the importance of letting veterinary clinic...
01.10.2024
What Happens When Promotions Don't Work Out in a Vet Clinic?
What happens when you promote a staff member to a new position or role and it doesn’t work out? What if the staff members want to return to their previous positions? How do we successfully expand our team members’ roles,...
01.03.2024
Will Veterinary AI Replace or Augment Telemedicine?
Happy New Year, Viewfinders! On January 1, 2024, the first fully VCPR-compliant remote diagnosis and written prescription in the state of California was performed. But is it too little too late? Will veterinary telemedicine be leapfrogged by AI-assisted telemedicine and...
12.27.2023
Happy New Year! Setting Resolutions for Your Best Self with Rebecca Newman, PsyM, CVT, RVT
Happy New Year, Viewfinders! This week, we have a special expert guest to offer advice and strategies for setting - and achieving - our New Year’s Resolutions! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, are joined by special guest...
12.20.2023
'Twas the Night Before Christmas in the Veterinary Clinic - 2023 edition
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! This week, we continue our annual Veterinary Viewfinder tradition of bringing you a special veterinary rendition of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, read Beckie’s poem that describes...
12.13.2023
’Tis the Season of… Expectations? How to better communicate expectations to avoid frustrations!
It's the season of expectations! In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of managing expectations within veterinary clinics. We address common scenarios, such as dealing with a new graduate who might be spending an extended amount of time...
12.06.2023
Mystery Dog Respiratory Illness - Dealing with the Hype this Holiday Season
Currently, 17 US states have reported a mysterious respiratory illness in dogs. As hype escalates on social media, fueled by TikTok and TMZ, how should veterinary professionals educate their pet parents and keep their pet patients safe during this holiday...
11.29.2023
The 7-Year Crash: Celebrating Our 7-Year Anniversary from the Hospital!
This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, celebrate seven years of never missing a weekly podcast - from the hospital! Viewfinders, tune in to learn why Beckie has been hospitalized for the past three weeks! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward...
11.22.2023
Holiday Gratitude - How Being Thankful Can Help You Survive This Holiday Season
It’s Thanksgiving in the United States this week, and that means the holiday season has begun. Besides family, food, and fun, the holidays can also bring stress, anxiety, and dread. This week, we’re joined by Liz Hughston, MEd, RVT, LVT, CVT,...
11.15.2023
Vet Tech Cafe Podcast Mashup - Jeff Backus and Dave Cowan
This week, we’re delighted to host Jeff Backus and Dave Cowan of the VetTech Cafe podcast to talk about podcasting, their journeys to vet tech specialization, and the challenges and future of the veterinary profession, Viewfinders, this is one podcast...
11.08.2023
PetDx Early Canine Cancer Detection - A Conversation with Veterinary Oncologist Dr. Andi Flory
It’s estimated that there are 6 million new cancer cases diagnosed each year in the United States. Cancer is by far the single most common cause of death in adult dogs. Similar to human cancer risks, dogs have a 1...
11.01.2023
Amazon Considers Offering Veterinary Telemedicine - What It Means for Veterinary Clinics and Team Members
Recently, Amazon announced it was considering offering veterinary telemedicine services to augment its position as a top pet supplies and pharmacy provider. This move would allow them to compete in veterinary telemedicine against competitors like Walmart, Chewy, etc. This week,...
10.25.2023
Medical Gaslighting in the Veterinary Profession: Do we sometimes dismiss, discount, or discredit our clients?
Medical gaslighting has become a hot topic in human medicine. This week, we tackle the topic and debate whether or not it exists in veterinary practice. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, examine the behaviors and attitudes that veterinary...
10.18.2023
AAHA Veterinary Technician Utilization Guidelines - All the Good (and One Questionable Inclusion according to Dr. Ward)
The 2023 AAHA Veterinary Technician Utilization Guidelines are out, and we're discussing all the good stuff and the one questionable inclusion (according to Dr. Ward). Viewfinders, there's a lot to talk about! This week, we're live from the first veterinary technician-focused...
10.11.2023
World Pet Obesity Awareness Day is October 11, 2023 - A Conversation with Purina Clinical Veterinary Nutritionist Dr. Jason Gagné
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...
10.04.2023
National Veterinary Technician Week is Oct 15-21, 2023
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...
09.27.2023
October is Pet Wellness Month (and Pet Obesity Awareness Day is Oct 11)
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...
09.20.2023
Veterinary Giving Tree 2023 - How You Can Help Your Colleagues
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...
09.13.2023
NAVC Hosts First HiVE Conference for Veterinary Technicians
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...
09.06.2023
September is Animal Pain Awareness Month featuring Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (anesthesia and analgesia)
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...
08.30.2023
Does Your Mom’s Dog Get an Employee Discount? Confusion and Misuse of Veterinary Staff Discounts and Pet Care Benefits
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...
08.16.2023
AVMA Pledges to Fight Against Expanding Scope of Practice
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...
08.09.2023
Who Chooses and Pays For Your Veterinary CE?
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...
08.02.2023
Solving Vet Med's Lack Of Diversity: A Conversation With Pawsibilities Vet Med's Dr. Valerie Marcano
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,...
07.26.2023
Who Decides What To Buy? Veterinary Team Decision-Making For Software and Equipment Purchases
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...
07.19.2023
Who Gets To Go When It's Slow? A Veterinary Practice Dilemma
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...
07.12.2023
Do You Have Veterinary Medical Consent? Boarding, Holiday and Emergency Dilemmas
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...
07.05.2023
How Do You Celebrate Your Veterinary Team
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...
06.28.2023
Celebrating PRIDE Month in Veterinary Medicine
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...
06.21.2023
Are You (Accidentally) Talking Bad About Veterinary Colleagues?
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...
06.14.2023
Micromanagement Mayhem in Veterinary Practice
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...
06.07.2023
What's Up, Doc? Sweetie? Terms of Disrespect or Endearment in Veterinary Practice?
“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...
05.31.2023
Handling Veterinary Appointment No-Shows
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,...
05.24.2023
Veterinary Clinic Violence - Shively Animal Hospital fatal Shooting
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...
05.17.2023
Veterinary Viewfinder 337 - Swapping Stuff with Other Clinics: Meds, Supplies, Staff and Clients?
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...
05.10.2023
Stigma about Seniors and Pets: How Can We Encourage and Support Older Pet Parents?
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...

What's Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast episodes:

Rising Complaints about Veterinary Prices - Tips for Preventing and Handling

North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists (NAAVR) - with Debbie Boone, CVPM

What happens if you disagree with a veterinary client on pet care? Tips for handling these difficult conversations.

Are You Giving (or Getting) These Three Types of Feedback?

The Benefits of 4-Year Vet Tech Degrees and Innovations in Online Programs with App State’s Jennifer Serling, RVT, VTES

Workplace Risks in Veterinary Practice: How Safe is Your Clinic?

Have We Forgotten Our Manners in Veterinary Practice? Tips and Tactics to Address Generational Differences

What should you do if a competing vet clinic’s staff is rude when requesting records?

First Veterinary Technician Elected as President of Viticus Group (WVC) - Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR

Sad Triangles of Pizza and Moldy Leftovers: Veterinary Clinic Common Area Disasters

What We Love About the Veterinary Profession - Valentine's Day 2024

Is your Veterinary Clinic Really Prepared for an Emergency?

2023 Veterinary Technician of the Year - Sam Geiling, CVT

Overwhelming Veterinary Practice Messages: Healthy Use and Boundaries on Slack, Teams, and Groups

The Importance of the Training Struggle : How to Create Training Guardrails and a Culture of Curiosity

What Happens When Promotions Don't Work Out in a Vet Clinic?

Will Veterinary AI Replace or Augment Telemedicine?

Happy New Year! Setting Resolutions for Your Best Self with Rebecca Newman, PsyM, CVT, RVT

'Twas the Night Before Christmas in the Veterinary Clinic - 2023 edition

’Tis the Season of… Expectations? How to better communicate expectations to avoid frustrations!

Mystery Dog Respiratory Illness - Dealing with the Hype this Holiday Season

The 7-Year Crash: Celebrating Our 7-Year Anniversary from the Hospital!

Holiday Gratitude - How Being Thankful Can Help You Survive This Holiday Season

Vet Tech Cafe Podcast Mashup - Jeff Backus and Dave Cowan

PetDx Early Canine Cancer Detection - A Conversation with Veterinary Oncologist Dr. Andi Flory

Amazon Considers Offering Veterinary Telemedicine - What It Means for Veterinary Clinics and Team Members

Medical Gaslighting in the Veterinary Profession: Do we sometimes dismiss, discount, or discredit our clients?

AAHA Veterinary Technician Utilization Guidelines - All the Good (and One Questionable Inclusion according to Dr. Ward)

World Pet Obesity Awareness Day is October 11, 2023 - A Conversation with Purina Clinical Veterinary Nutritionist Dr. Jason Gagné

National Veterinary Technician Week is Oct 15-21, 2023

October is Pet Wellness Month (and Pet Obesity Awareness Day is Oct 11)

Veterinary Giving Tree 2023 - How You Can Help Your Colleagues

NAVC Hosts First HiVE Conference for Veterinary Technicians

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month featuring Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (anesthesia and analgesia)

Does Your Mom’s Dog Get an Employee Discount? Confusion and Misuse of Veterinary Staff Discounts and Pet Care Benefits

AVMA Pledges to Fight Against Expanding Scope of Practice

Who Chooses and Pays For Your Veterinary CE?

Solving Vet Med's Lack Of Diversity: A Conversation With Pawsibilities Vet Med's Dr. Valerie Marcano

Who Decides What To Buy? Veterinary Team Decision-Making For Software and Equipment Purchases

Who Gets To Go When It's Slow? A Veterinary Practice Dilemma

Do You Have Veterinary Medical Consent? Boarding, Holiday and Emergency Dilemmas

How Do You Celebrate Your Veterinary Team

Celebrating PRIDE Month in Veterinary Medicine

Are You (Accidentally) Talking Bad About Veterinary Colleagues?

Micromanagement Mayhem in Veterinary Practice

What's Up, Doc? Sweetie? Terms of Disrespect or Endearment in Veterinary Practice?

Handling Veterinary Appointment No-Shows

Veterinary Clinic Violence - Shively Animal Hospital fatal Shooting

Veterinary Viewfinder 337 - Swapping Stuff with Other Clinics: Meds, Supplies, Staff and Clients?

Stigma about Seniors and Pets: How Can We Encourage and Support Older Pet Parents?