Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast
387 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 days ago - ★★★★★ - 91 ratingsWeekly 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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Episodes
Prong Collars Banned in Queensland Australia
May 11, 2022 09:00 - 26 minutes - 29.9 MBControversial prong dog collars were recently banned by the government of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, Queensland, home of the Great Barrier Reef and Gold and Sunshine Coasts. Legislators cited prong collars violated their Animal Welfare standards by “using pain as punishment.” Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss the increase in global rules and regulations aiming to improve animal welfare. The pair review the recent Norwegian breeding bans on English Bulldo...
Chernobyl Dogs Update with Dr. Jennifer Betz
May 04, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 33.8 MBWhile there’s been a lot of discussion on how to help the people - and animals - affected by the war in Ukraine, we wanted to find out what was happening with the dogs left behind after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident. This week we’re honored to bring you once again the incomparable Dr. Jennifer Betz, a veterinarian who has been helping and researching the Chernobyl dogs for many years. We originally spoke with Dr. Betz in 2018, and wanted to learn how the war was impacting these fascinat...
Animal Help Ukraine - Dr Ivan Zak from Galaxy Vets Foundation
April 27, 2022 09:00 - 26 minutes - 30.2 MBAs the war wages on in Ukraine, many veterinary professionals are eager to help both pets and colleagues in need. This week we’re joined by Dr. Ivan Zak as he offers ways to help through Animal Help Ukraine, a new initiative by the Galaxy Vets Foundation. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT welcome back to the Veterinary Viewfinder Ukrainian-born veterinarian, Dr. Ivan Zak (short for Zakharenkov), to discuss how you can help those in need through an important new initiative. Dr. Z...
NAVC Veterinary Nurse/Technician Empowerment Initiative with Harold Davis, RVT
April 20, 2022 09:00 - 36 minutes - 41.6 MBThis week we’re joined with vet tech/nurse extraordinaire, Harold Davis, RVT, VTS (ECC) to discuss an important (and exciting) new initiative from our friends at the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) - the Veterinary Nurse/Technician Empowerment Initiative! Harold currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for NAVC and is one of the key drivers behind this expansive seven-part initiative to empower and celebrate veterinary nurses/technicians (and, yes, Viewfinders, Dr. ...
National Veterinary Receptionist Week April 24-30, 2022
April 13, 2022 12:56 - 29 minutes - 34 MBHappy National Veterinary Receptionist Week! This week we celebrate the incredible veterinary receptionists that make our lives so much better! April 24-30, 2022 Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT share the many reasons that veterinary receptionist are integral - and essential - members of the veterinary healthcare team. Veterinary receptionists are the initial, and often final, point of contact for pet parents in a veterinary clinic, answer medical and pet care questions, and hand...
Who Owns that Pet? Who makes decisions for a pet's care and how do veterinary professionals prove it?
April 06, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 34.9 MBWhat happens when a person appears at a veterinary clinic claiming to be a pet’s owner? How do veterinary professionals know they’re the rightful - and legal - owner? How does the client prove it? Who can make medical care decisions and how do we hold them accountable? Viewfinders, there’s a lot more to discuss on this topic than simply, “I found this pet. Can I keep it? Thanks.” You don’t want to miss this one! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the tricky topic of how vete...
What to Look For in a New Veterinary Job
March 30, 2022 09:00 - 32 minutes - 37.4 MBWe’ve been saying for the past two years that there’s never been a better time for veterinary professionals to change jobs or renegotiate your contract. This week we review what you should be looking for if you’re “checking out how green the other lawns may be.” Hint: Pretty green! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT share what attributes to search for when you’re scrolling job listings, questions to uncover the “real workplace conditions,” and tips for negotiating wages and benefits...
Half Truths and Mixed Breeds in Vet Med - The Dilemma of Filling Out Forms for Pets
March 23, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 35.2 MBMany veterinary professionals have been asked by pet parents to omit, edit, or alter a pet’s breed or history on a form for housing, travel, insurance, or other “official” forms. This week we discuss the medical ethics surrounding designating a “pit bull mix” as “mixed breed” and other potentially uncomfortable scenarios. Viewfinders, this is a good (and important) one! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT get real about requests they’ve received from clients trying to move or visit l...
Inequitable Benefits and Vanishing Perks for Veterinary Staff
March 16, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 33.8 MBHave you ever had a job benefit or workplace perk suddenly taken away? What about a new hire that is given compensation above long-time team members? Are some employees allowed to bring their pets to the office while others aren’t? In the past were you offered free or “at cost” vet care but now you have to pay? Viewfinders, we’re hearing more of these stories about workplace inequities, so this week we’re going to tackle it! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT explore what happens wh...
"You Break It, You Bought It!" in the Veterinary Clinic
March 09, 2022 10:00 - 26 minutes - 30.5 MBWhat happens when veterinary professionals accidentally or inadvertently break or damage equipment (or even uniforms) when caring for pet patients? This week we share why this is a harmful management tactic and better ways to communicate the proper care of veterinary equipment. Beckie is "coming in hot" in this episode! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle a real-life dilemma Beckie recently ran across on her social media. The post discussed how a veterinary practice had recent...
2022 NAVTA President Ashli Selke
March 02, 2022 10:00 - 34 minutes - 39.4 MBThis week we're thrilled to bring you an exclusive - and her first ever - podcast interview with the 2022 National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) President, Ashi Selke, RVT, CVT. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT learn Ashli’s story of becoming a veterinary technician, her personal military service, how she got involved with NAVTA, and plans for her leadership term. Beckie encourages NAVTA to accelerate their title protection plans and initiatives, and of...
We Missed Veterinary Assistant Appreciation Week - What’s the Future for Vet Assistants?
February 23, 2022 12:41 - 28 minutes - 33.2 MBHappy belated Veterinary Assistant Appreciation Week! February 14-18, 2022 was celebrated by the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City - and we missed it! This week we take time to not only appreciate our beloved veterinary assistants, but also discuss some of the challenges and opportunities we see in the future of this essential role in veterinary medicine. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT share their love and respect for these often unsung heroes of veterinary medic...
Has the Pandemic Paused Phase Training and Caused Increased Job Turnover?
February 16, 2022 10:00 - 30 minutes - 35.1 MBWhile many of our podcasts have focused on the current veterinary workforce shortages, perhaps we haven’t talked as much about retaining staff as we should. This week we discuss how hiring, onboarding, phase training, new employee integration, and personality matching can help keep good staff longer and improve your team’s ability to attract and retain new hires. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT talk a deep dive into the steps you need to take when hiring and onboarding new veteri...
Veterinary Unionization 2022 Update with Liz Hughston RVT
February 09, 2022 10:00 - 43 minutes - 49.6 MBVeterinary unions are once again in the news. A Thrive (formerly Pathways) veterinary clinic in New York recently voted 2 to 1 to form a union. There is growing interest in veterinary unionization, and this week we're joined once again by one of the leading voices in this movement, Liz Hughston, MEd., RVT, CVT, LVT, LVMT, VTS (SAIM) (ECC). Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT talk with Liz about the latest developments in the Thrive veterinary clinic case and other veterinary unions a...
Brachycephalic Breed Bans in Europe - Can It Happen in the US?
February 02, 2022 10:00 - 29 minutes - 33.8 MBBrachycephalic Breed Bans in Europe - Can It Happen in the US? In January 2022, Norway approved a legal ban on breeding Bulldogs and Cavaliers, citing animal welfare violations. A similar ban and breeding restrictions has growing support from UK and other European veterinary organizations. Could the US be next to ban brachycephalic breeds? Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT weigh the pros and cons of brachycephalic breed bans - and whether American dog lovers and veterinary profes...
Board Complaints when Veterinarians Respond to Clients Online
January 26, 2022 10:00 - 28 minutes - 33 MBRecently the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board sent a memo to state veterinarians warning about Board complaints and disciplinary actions taken in response to veterinarians responding to client online posts and reviews. Vets were found at fault for ethics or professionalism violations due to an online spat. You may want to re-read that. This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss the blurred lines between freedom of speech, the ability of a veterinary professional to ...
License Portability for Veterinary Professionals: Can It Help Ease Workforce Shortages?
January 19, 2022 10:00 - 31 minutes - 36.5 MBWith the reality of veterinary workforce shortages and challenges hiring veterinarians and veterinary technicians in 2022, talk of improving license portability has resurfaced. This week we discuss why we believe it’s time to make it easier to share veterinary and veterinary technician licenses among states. Hint 1: It’s already been done in the human medical professions. So, yeah. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss the recent discussions at the January 2022 AVMA meeting tha...
What Happens When Our Own Pets Need Veterinary Care?
January 12, 2022 10:00 - 32 minutes - 37.2 MBWhat happens when a veterinary professional’s own pet needs veterinary care? Do they schedule an appointment? Who cares for them, when are they seen, and how much do they charge? What are some of the potential disruptions and discord that bringing in our own pets for veterinary care can create in a veterinary practice? Perhaps more than you’d think… Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT explore the benefits - and potential pitfalls - of taking our own pets into the clinics we work in. ...
Are Veterinary Professional Certifications Worth It In 2022?
January 05, 2022 10:00 - 28 minutes - 32.4 MBThere's been a surge in the number of veterinary professional certifications over the past few years. But are those extra initials behind your degree worth it in 2022? Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT start the new year off with a conversation about the what's, when's, why's, and (probably most important to employers) worth of professional certifications. It gets complicated. Viewfinders, our hosts have a number of professional certifications to their credit, yet they encourage c...
Tough Topics and Trends in 2022 for the Veterinary Profession
December 29, 2021 10:00 - 40 minutes - 46.7 MBHappy New Year, Viewfinders! This week our hosts preview the veterinary profession’s toughest topics and trends we predict for 2022! Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT join in a rapid-fire discussion of the top challenges they foresee for 2022 (and beyond). Some of the issues they discuss include: * Veterinary workforce shortages * Mental health issues (burnout, depression, compassion fatigue, substance abuse, etc.) * Veterinary staff wages and benefits * Student loans and the rising c...
A Very Veterinary Christmas Special
December 22, 2021 10:00 - 12 minutes - 14.4 MBHappy Holidays Viewfinders! This week, we’ve got TWO Very Veterinary Holiday Poems to share! Pull on your favorite comfy clothes or hit “play” on your way to work, because we’ve got plenty of holiday cheer to spread to you this week! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discovered two “very veterinary holiday poems” to put their best holiday podcast spin on! These are family-friendly, so blast away on your sound systems! (Or share your headphones…) Our first poem was written by the U...
More Dangerous TikTok Pet Trends & What Veterinary Professionals Need to Do
December 15, 2021 10:00 - 26 minutes - 30.7 MBThere’s a new TikTok trend we believe could potentially harm dogs called the “Bark at your Dog Challenge.” Veterinary colleagues and concerned pet parents, let’s discuss. And, WTF is wrong with people? Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT revisit their concern that some popular social media trends could be harmful to animals. This week our hosts discuss what many are calling a “funny, hilarious and surprising” challenge that they categorize as “disturbing.” Beckie recalls the histor...
Masters Degree in Veterinary Clinical Care: Pioneering Pathway or Misguided MS?
December 08, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutes - 37.7 MBIn early 2021, a hypothetical veterinary technician degree was proposed and discussed by a select group of about 20 individuals representing 12 organizations. Called a “Masters in Veterinary Clinical Care,” the exploratory degree has garnered a lot of questions and confusion. This week we discuss what we know and our initial impressions on how this may - or may not - benefit the veterinary profession. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT share their concerns and offer their advice whe...
How Should Veterinary Professionals Respond to Personal Tragedies?
December 01, 2021 14:41 - 31 minutes - 35.7 MBRecent news of a veterinary technician’s death by suicide went viral on social media, and included discussions on the responsibility of employers to identify and offer help. This week, we discuss how veterinary professionals and clinics respond to personal tragedies such as suicide, workplace harassment, bullying, and other personal tragedies and challenges and steps any veterinary clinic can take to provide a more caring, compassionate, and healthy workplace. Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie...
Horses in Need of a Home: A Conversation with Equine Surgeon Dr. Stacie Boswell
November 24, 2021 10:00 - 34 minutes - 39.2 MBIn the United States, it is estimated that almost 150,000 horses per year are unwanted. What is “unwanted”? The term is used to refer to horses that are old, injured, sick, unmanageable, or fail to meet expectations. The horse may have a lameness or illness…or he could just be the wrong color or gender. His problem could be life-threatening…or chronic and manageable. He may have a mild behavioral problem…or a severe one. … This week we speak with Dr. Stacie Boswell, an equine surgeon and auth...
Massachusetts Bill Aims to Allow Injured Police Dogs in Ambulances & EMTs to Provide Essential Treatments
November 17, 2021 14:42 - 26 minutes - 30.3 MBThe Massachusetts State Senate recently approved a bill that ensures law enforcement officers' K-9 partners receive life-saving medical attention and transport in ambulances if they are injured in the line of duty. The bill, known as Nero's Law, was drafted in response to the shooting that claimed the life of Yarmouth Police K-9 Sgt. Sean Gannon, and severely injured his K-9 partner, Nero. … This week our hosts, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, explore the impact such legislation could ...
Polarized Pet Parents! Are Veterinary Clinics the New Fight Clubs?
November 10, 2021 10:00 - 30 minutes - 35.1 MBTell me if you’ve heard this one before: Some pet parents are combining current conspiracy theories with internet medical misinformation and forming personal beliefs that are turning our veterinary exam rooms into “Debate Night” or “Fight Clubs!” Are we at risk of losing our ability to have civil discourse with clients and compromise? This week is all about the polarization of pet parents and their impacts on veterinary practice. This week, we’re not pulling any punches! Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward...
International Human Animal Bond Day - November 8 with HABA's Dr. Patrick Flynn
November 03, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 33.1 MBInternational Human Animal Bond Day is November 8, 2021! What’s that, you ask? We’ve got the President-elect of the Human Animal Bond Association (HABA) this week to explain! … This week we’re missing co-host Beckie Mossor, RVT as she’s deployed helping animals in need with the ASPCA. We miss you! … That leaves co-host Dr. Ernie Ward to handle the mics this week with HABA’s incoming President, Dr. Patrick Flynn. … Drs. Flynn and Ward discuss the origins of International Human Animal Bond Day...
Veterinary Viewfinder 256 - Are Veterinarians "Real Doctors"? The Answers Get Murkier
October 27, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 35.3 MBIn a recent episode, we asked the Viewfinders if veterinarians were “real doctors” (and also if vet techs were “real nurses”). We received a flood of comments and DM’s and witnessed many social media threads and posts discussing our comments and questions. Thank you! … But some of the reasons and arguments supporting vet professionals as “real medical professionals” seemed, at first, to be solid, but after closer inspection, began to crumble, metaphorically speaking. This week we explore a f...
Are Veterinarians "Real Doctors"? A Recent Social Media Controversy Sparks Debate
October 20, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 35.3 MBAre veterinarians “real doctors”? What about vet techs? Are they “medical professionals”? A recent veterinarian versus Peloton quarrel over a "medical professional discount" went public on social media, and we’ve got all the feels… … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward (a proud Peloton papa since the beginning) and Beckie Mossor, RVT (not in the Peloton fam) tackle the issue of what to do when the public fails to recognize or respect veterinary professionals was “medical professionals.” This issue is a whol...
Post-Pandemic Veterinary Vaccine Skepticism
October 13, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 35.3 MBFor the past year, controversies surrounding COVID-19 vaccination have dominated the news. Vaccine skepticism and hesitation is being reported at all time highs. Will COVID-19 vaccine skepticism cause an increase in pet parents refusing veterinary vaccines? We share our thoughts in this week’s episode. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the tough topic of vaccine hesitancy faced by veterinary professionals. The pair reveal several conversations they’ve had with colleagues co...
Happy National Vet Tech Week! Can We Get a Living Wage, Basic Benefits, Title Protection, and a Positive Workplace?
October 06, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 36.2 MBNational Veterinary Technician Week is October 17-23, 2021! Can we get better working conditions, please? And other ways to celebrate your credentialed veterinary technicians in 2021. … This week hosts Beckie Mossor, RVT and Dr. Ernie Ward share their tips for celebrating your credentialed veterinary technicians in honor of the 28th annual NVTW (started in 1993, for all you veterinary medicine history nerds). In addition, they tackle a ton of tough topics facing vet techs and the veterinary p...
The Vet Med Guilt Game - Quitting, Vacation, & Holiday Time Off Shaming
September 29, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 31.6 MBLately, we’ve been hearing stories of veterinary practice managers and owners making departing staff feel guilty for finding a better job. After a team member puts in their notice, they then face a barrage of guilt-inducing blame and judgment, further eroding their self confidence and assertiveness. But it doesn’t end there. … Hosts Beckie Mossor, RVT and Dr. Ernie Ward also share their concerns about the rapidly approaching holiday season and the impact "holiday time off" may have on our alr...
Veterinary Job Ads - Words versus Reality in the War for Vet Staff
September 22, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 34.1 MBThere’s no shortage of veterinary job listings these days. As competition for veterinary professionals heats up, are some of these employment ads potentially misleading or misrepresenting their workplace reality? We tackle that tough topic and job search woes in this episode! Plus, we give our thoughts on creating better, more truthful job postings and why making employees your top priority is the best strategy of all! Viewfinders, hang on to your noggin’ for this one! … Hosts Beckie Mossor,...
Pandemic Pets, Expensive Vets, Relinquishment - How Can We Help?
September 15, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 34.3 MBA recent pet parent survey found that 47% experienced “separation anxiety while away from their pets.” 76% of respondents claimed their dog suffered from anxiety behaviors while they were away. In addition to these stats, there’s been a growing number of media stories examining “the high cost of veterinary care,” and increased requests to “return” or relinquish adopted “pandemic pets.” This week we explore the interconnectedness of these stories and how we can help as veterinary professionals...
Are We Learning From or Burning Down the Big Players in Vet Med?
September 08, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 35.4 MBThis week co-host Beckie Mossor, RVT reports to us from the Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in Las Vegas, Nevada where there’s a lot of talk about the big veterinary corporations and pet retailers and the impact they’re having throughout the profession (spoiler: a couple are engaged in a battle of lawsuits amongst other issues). … Co-host Dr. Ernie Ward talks with Beckie from deep within his home podcast bunker and the pair muse on how quickly changes are happening in the pet and veterina...
How Veterinary Relief Staff Can Help Heal your Practice
September 01, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 34 MBDuring the past 18 months, nearly every veterinary practice has experienced unprecedented demands and challenges. Throw in the reality of an historically-tight job market, with few available veterinarians and vet techs to go around, and you’ve got even more problems. These difficulties have caused considerable professional (and personal) burnout, with many colleagues not knowing how they could possibly take a break. That’s where relief (or locus) veterinary staff could help heal your practice...
Doobert - Pet Rescue Transportation Relay with Founder Chris Roy
August 25, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 35.7 MBDOOBERT! Doobert! So fun to say, we had to say it twice! So what is it? … This week we sit down with the Founder of Doobert.com, Chris Roy. Doobert is “an online software platform custom-built for animal rescuers. It’s like a combination of Match.com specifically for animal shelters and rescues to find new partners, and then a volunteer Uber for getting the animals where they need to go.” You’re gonna want to listen to this one! … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT learn all about th...
Generation Ghost - Is Saying Nothing the New Way to Say No?
August 18, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 35.3 MBVeterinary practices around the country are reporting high numbers of veterinary staff failing (or bailing) on interviews or even work. Is “ghosting” or saying nothing becoming the new way to say, “No”? This week we discuss. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss the concerning trend of veterinary job applicants “ghosting” veterinary practices during the hiring process. Is this really a thing? If so, why? And what can we do to improve communications during interview and hiring...
Is Vet Med’s Reputation Risking Our Future?
August 11, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 36.7 MBBurnout. Debt. Suicide. These are some of the topics closely associated with the veterinary profession in 2021. But are these negative narratives hurting our appeal to the next generation of veterinary professionals? This week we discuss the current public perceptions of veterinary medicine and how we can change them for the better. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT tackle the topic of how an onslaught of negative news about veterinary professionals may be influencing - and perhap...
Mental Health Lessons from the Olympics for Veterinary Professionals
August 04, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 33.7 MBThe real “gold medalist” of the Tokyo Olympics may be mental health. Simone Biles and Novak Djokovic each brought their own “twist” on how we can “smash” false perceptions about pressure, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges faced by elite athletes and, yes, even veterinary professionals. (You'll have to listen to find out the meaning of those puns!) Viewfinders, this is a good one! … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT review the very different repossess to Simone ...
What Happens When Veterinary Professionals Have Expensive Pet Bills?
July 28, 2021 09:00 - 26 minutes - 30.5 MBWhat happens when veterinary team members have pets in need of expensive veterinary care? Do they make payments to their clinic over time? Does their clinic have a limit on outstanding debt? Do co-workers judge each other based on care decisions or running up high bills at the clinic? What happens if the employee leaves? Does a veterinary employee’s ability to “put it on my bill” influence our perception and expectations on our client’s ability or willingness to pay for their pet’s veterinary...
Is Your Veterinary Clinic Prepared for Climate Change Catastrophes?
July 21, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 33.5 MBEach week it seems we learn of another natural disaster related to, caused or worsened by climate change: wildfires, hurricanes, heat waves, mudslides, drought, flood - you name it. And these disasters affect veterinary professionals and pet parents around the world. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss how veterinary clinics can prepare for disasters and interruptions caused by a variety of emergency situations. They also explore veterinary professionals' responsibilities to...
Is TikTok Encouraging Dangerous Pet Ownership?
July 14, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 31.2 MBRecently, a very popular North Carolina TikTok star who keeps and “wrangles” venomous cobras in his parent’s basement, lost a cobra while taking it outside in his backyard. For nearly a week, his neighborhood was terrorized by the fear of waking up to a cobra in their house. The cobra was eventually found in a neighbor’s yard and safely captured. It could’ve ended much worse. And this is only one example of the world of exotic animals on TikTok. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT ...
Should Vet Staff Be Required to Cover Their Shifts to Take Time Off?
July 07, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 32.3 MBHappy Summer Holidays! That is, of course, assuming you get any holiday time off, especially if you work in a veterinary clinic. This week we discuss the disturbing trend of requiring veterinary clinic employees to provide shift coverage for taking time off due to vacation or appointments. And when taking a vacation, does your boss or manager text telling you how busy and overworked everyone is while you’re away? Yes, you read that right. Viewfinders, there’s a lot we need to talk about this ...
Do Veterinary Professionals Have Weight Bias toward Pet Obesity?
June 30, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 36.6 MBTalking about pet obesity can be tricky and challenging for many veterinary professionals? A new study conducted at University of Guelph seeks to understand the potential impact of weight bias and stigmatism on veterinary care and the treatment of pet obesity. … This week we’re back talking about co-host Dr. Ernie Ward’s clinical area of interest, pet obesity. He and co-host Beckie Mossor, RVT are joined by Kat Sutherland, BScH, MSc, a PhD candidate from Ontario Veterinary College, University...
Pride, Pronouns, Being a Better Ally for Inclusion & Diversity in Vet Med
June 23, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 33 MBHappy National Pride Month Viewfinders! This week we’re joined by Pride VMC’s Ernie Spencer, CVT, VTS (ECC) to discuss correctly using pronouns, creating a safe workplace, and inclusion in veterinary practice. It’s good one! … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT begin by emphasizing the importance of the recent Federal proclamation declaring June National Pride Month. Beckie asks Erin to share how this makes members of the LBGTQ+ community feel and Dr. Ward emphasizes the impact natio...
How Positive Leadership Can Save Your Practice with Josh Vaisman
June 16, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 37.7 MBPerhaps one of the toughest challenges veterinary professionals face each day is maintaining a positive attitude. Positive work cultures begin with positive leaders, and that’s what we’re going to discuss today. … Josh Vaisman, CCFP, MAPPCP spends his days helping veterinary professionals create positive work environments. A self-described “happy guy,” Josh shares his enthusiasm with the Viewfinders today - and we take this opportunity to tackle the toughest topics you’re facing each day! … H...
Cruella Chihuahuas, Media Stereotypes, Flat-Faced Breeds & What Should Veterinary Professionals Do?
June 09, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 31.3 MBWill the hit Disney Movie Cruella create in a surge in Dalmatians, Chihuahuas, or Chinese Crested dogs? Do media stereotypes about certain breeds or animals lead to painful cosmetic surgeries or stigmas? This week we tackle veterinary professionals and how to proactively respond to pet and animal media trends and movements. We go a LOT deeper than Disney this week, Viewfinders! … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT chat about the recent portrayal of dogs in the Disney movie Cruella. T...
Pentobarbital Shortage, Reopening Woes, Change Fatigue, and Veterinary Practice Summer Stress
June 02, 2021 11:06 - 30 minutes - 35.2 MBHas your veterinary clinic been ping-ponging between curbside, hybrid, masked service, and now something else? This week we discuss the real challenge of “change fatigue” in veterinary clinics and some creative ways to help. … Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT spend some quality time together on Memorial Day starting with talking about the nationwide shortage of the euthanasia drug, pentobarbital. Dr. Ward examines whether or not veterinary clinics should reevaluate inventory manage...