Veterinary Viewfinder

21/05/2025

👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈
Are Vet Teams Losing Touch? What Happened to Sharing Journals and Learning Together?

Remember when veterinary break rooms were covered in highlighted journals and sticky notes that said “READ THIS”? This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor explore how our learning habits have changed and what this means for clinic culture.

Are we still learning together… or just scrolling solo?

In this thought-provoking episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, explore how veterinary professionals consume and share clinical knowledge in today’s fast-paced, digital-first world.

Gone are the days of dog-eared journals in the break room and article clippings on the clinic fridge. But what have we lost in this shift to screens and skimming? From the impact of algorithm-driven content and AI tools like ChatGPT to concerns about critical thinking and team collaboration, Dr. Ward and Beckie ask whether we’re trading connection and depth for convenience and speed.

The episode questions whether the rise of digital isolation and the decline in communal learning have affected how veterinary teams function and bond.

It’s more than nostalgia; it’s a call to reimagine how clinics can cultivate curiosity, unity, and a culture of continual education in a fragmented information landscape.

Whether you’re a practice owner, tech lead, or team member trying to stay current, this conversation will challenge how you think about professional development in the digital age.

15/05/2025

👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈
They Gave Us 1 Star… Then Came Back: Real Talk on Clients, Conflict, and Managing Criticism

What do you do when a client trashes your clinic with a negative online review, then schedules another appointment as if nothing happened? In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack the emotional and professional complexities of accepting—or refusing—returning clients who’ve publicly criticized your team.

From understanding when a bad review crosses into abuse to learning how to initiate honest, respectful dialogue, this episode delivers actionable strategies for managing digital conflict, preserving team morale, and navigating tough conversations.

The hosts also explore how evolving norms around online reviews have changed the client-vet dynamic, and why price complaints, while frustrating, may not always be personal. A must-listen for veterinary professionals dealing with the emotional toll of public feedback in an increasingly review-driven world.

09/10/2024

TONIGHT! 7:00 pm ET

Veterinary professionals, please sign up for the biennial In-Clinic Prevalence Survy and Online Opinions surveys!

National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)

www.PetObesityPrevention.org

Association for Pet Obesity Prevention Veterinarians dedicated to combating dog and cat obesity. Helping pets with obesity through nutrition, exercise, and medical weight loss interventions. Overweight pets.

08/10/2024

How we talk about with veterinary colleagues, pet parents, and the public media impacts not only our clinical success but also how the disease is perceived and acted upon by everyone.
Read this article and others on strategies to reduce and at www.PetObesityPrevention.org.

▶ We need your opinions on this topic. Pet parents and veterinary professionals, please take the brief annual Opinions Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/APOP2024

▶ Veterinary clinics, we need your help collecting pet obesity prevalence data in our biennial survey. Sign up at https://bit.ly/APOPsignup

WSAVA - World Small Animal Veterinary Association American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association) Obesity Action Coalition - OAC SAVMA British Veterinary Association - BVA Purina Pro Plan Virbac The Farmer's Dog Hill’s Pet Nutrition Royal Canin Blue Buffalo Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

13/12/2023

👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈
’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 in the exam room while questioning if our expectations are realistic and exploring ways to improve efficiency.

Additionally, we tackle the challenge of colleagues who may be struggling to meet their responsibilities or display the necessary skills. How can better communicating our expectations help them succeed and decrease our frustration?

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, examine the fundamental role of expectations in shaping our interpersonal interactions. They explore the significance of expectations as the foundation for how we relate to one another and offer insights into building stronger connections with colleagues. They tackle the intricacies of expectations, providing their experience and perspectives on fostering more robust and positive relationships in your work environment.

Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the importance of distinguishing between realistic and unrealistic expectations and provide insights on effectively communicating expectations, especially when it comes to performance reviews and reprimands.

Viewfinders, we’d love to hear your thoughts on how you manage and communicate your expectations in your clinic!

[email protected] or Facebook and Instagram!

29/11/2023

👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈
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 and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, update us on the past three weeks of Beckie’s life after the accident and reflect on the previous seven years of podcasting. I’m not crying; you’re crying.

Viewfinders, thank you for your loyal listening over the past seven years (365.29 weeks). We’re proud to share our thoughts with you each week and are grateful for the time we spend together.

If you’d like to wish Beckie a speedy recovery, drop her a note at [email protected].

To help a colleague in need, or if you need assistance, check out Beckie’s amazing non-profit created to help our veterinary colleagues, the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree - www.veterinarygivingtree.com/.

Thank you, Viewfinders!

Beckie, get well soon!

22/11/2023

👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈
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, VTS (SAIM, ECC) to discuss tips and tactics to help you survive the holidays with a smile.

Host Dr. Ernie Ward is missing co-host Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, as she is recovering from an accident. Beckie is doing well, and we’ll share the full story soon. Meanwhile, drop her a “Get Well Soon” message on our socials or email at [email protected].

Liz and Ernie begin by tackling the problematic origins of Thanksgiving in the United States and offer how they’re reconciling the holiday with history. The pair then discuss their different gratitude practices and why gratitude is good for your mental well-being.

Liz shares how some veterinary practices incorporate gratitude into their daily huddles. Dr. Ward explains why he believes we must be more openly positive in our business and personal lives. Both reveal how they deal with criticism over being too optimistic (or pushing for change) and why everyone needs to, in Dr. Ward’s words, “start each day tilted toward optimism.”

Viewfinders, this podcast has loads of practical tips and real-life stories. We recommend you listen to it before your Thanksgiving visits or immediately afterward to decompress. Regardless of when you listen, we hope you’ll find something to make your holidays a little brighter!

Beckie, get well soon! We miss you!

15/11/2023

👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈
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 mashup you don’t want to miss!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, share the mic with the two veterinary technician specialists behind the Vet Tech Cafe podcast, Dave Cowan BA, CVT, VTS(ECC) and Jeff Backus, CVT, RVT, VTS(ECC). They share the nontraditional paths they took to become credentialed veterinary technicians and why and how they chose to pursue specialization.

Viewfinders, we’d like to thank the Vet Tech Cafe for serving as our Complaint Department for the past couple of years. Remember, if there’s something you don’t like on our podcast, please inform Dave and Jeff!

To learn more about them and their huge Spotify deal worth millions, visit www.vettechcafe.com.

Thanks, Dave and Jeff, for making this an amazing episode!

08/11/2023

👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈
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 in 3 lifetime risk of getting cancer. This week, we talk with a veterinary oncologist and co-founder of PetDx, a revolutionary company bringing noninvasive blood tests to detect cancer early in dogs.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, welcome Andi Flory, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at PetDx to discuss how early detection of canine cancer is changing how we think about veterinary cancer treatment.

Viewfinders, this is a fascinating conversation on a genuinely groundbreaking diagnostic test. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

To learn more about PetDx and their OncoK9 test, visit www.petdx.com or call 833-464-7297

Thank you, Dr. Flory and PetDx, for bringing this vital information to the Viewfinders!

01/11/2023

👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈
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, we discuss the pros and cons and potential impacts this could have on independent veterinary clinics and the veterinary profession.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, review the recent news that Amazon was considering offering veterinary telemedicine. Beckie shares why this is no surprise and that there may be a silver lining for independent veterinary clinics.

Dr. Ward expresses his concerns along with several steps veterinary professionals should be taking to ensure continued success in the future.

Viewfinders, there’s much more to this issue than simply, “Oh brother, here’s another competitor!” We’d love to hear your thoughts and how you’re addressing this issue.

25/10/2023

👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈
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 professionals need to be vigilant about to prevent unintentionally dismissing, discounting or discrediting their clients.

Throughout this week’s candid conversation, our hosts emphasize the importance of empathy, effective communication, and active listening, urging veterinary professionals to put themselves in their client’s shoes and provide the best possible care.

Dr. Ward also shares how he believes Artificial Intelligence (AI) may help physicians and veterinarians avoid medical gaslighting. Both hosts discuss why being open-minded when it comes to diagnosing patients and appreciative of pet owners’ research, regardless of how accurate or applicable, is essential to providing optimal patient care.

Stick around to the very end to hear Beckie tell an interesting (and hilarious) story from a recent conference where she presented. We love it when you tell us you listen to the podcast!

Viewfinders, this is another emerging topic that needs more attention. Tell us your thoughts! or [email protected]

18/10/2023

👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈
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 conference, HiVE, in Austin, Texas! (well, at least Beckie is there...).

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, dive into the recently released AAHA Veterinary Technician Utilization Guidelines. They review the subtle - but potentially impactful - shift in proposed vet tech terminology and tips for optimizing your veterinary technicians. Finally, Dr. Ward shares the one thing he's not sure should've been included with the guidelines (no spoilers! You have to listen to it all to find out what it is!).

Viewfinders, what do you think about this discussion, and do you agree with Dr. Ward? Share your thoughts on our Instagram or pages, or email us at [email protected]

Read the 2023 AAHA Veterinary Technician Utilization Guidelines here: https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2023-aaha-technician-utilization-guidelines/home/