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Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

By: Dr. Ernie Ward & Beckie Mossor RVT
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Weekly podcast dedicated to "tackling the toughest topics in veterinary medicine." Hosted by veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT. Candid, irreverent, provocative, educational, and occasionally funny conversations about issues that impact the veterinary profession. Non-stop weekly podcast since 2016.Copyright Dr. Ernie Ward & Beckie Mossor, RVT Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Leadership Management & Leadership Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • Boundaries Aren’t Selfish—They Keep You in Vet Med

    Boundaries Aren’t Selfish—They Keep You in Vet Med
    Jul 29 2026
    Why can taking PTO, stepping away during the holidays, leaving on time, or protecting even one hour for yourself feel like letting down your team or the people you love? This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack the guilt veterinary professionals often carry when they step away from the clinic. Their message is simple: feeling guilty is not the same as being selfish, and discomfort does not mean a boundary is wrong. Beckie reflects on her own evolution from a “baby technician” who felt she had something to prove to someone who learned that rest and boundaries are worth the initial discomfort. As she reminds listeners, “You can’t expect that free time to just come.” Even five, ten, or fifteen protected minutes can be a meaningful place to begin, and, after taking that time, “you do come back better.” Ernie shares the lesson that has guided him through decades in veterinary medicine: “If I were trying to protect my time to improve my overall health, that was not selfish. It was essential.” In fact, he makes a strong case for how protecting your well-being can help you better support your family, coworkers, clients, and patients over the long term. Our hosts also challenge practice owners, managers, medical directors, and teammates to examine the culture surrounding PTO and self-care. Comments like “must be nice” or “I wish I could do that” can turn time spent on personal growth into shame. Thoughtful scheduling, appropriate coverage, and genuine encouragement can make healthy boundaries possible, and business leaders must lead by example. They also point out that self-care is not limited to vacations or spa days. It may be a walk, a workout, a chapter of a book, a few quiet minutes, or meaningful time with the people you love. The goal is not perfect balance. It is returning with more energy, patience, and perspective, and building a veterinary career that leaves room for a life beyond the clinic. #VetMed #VetTechLife #VeterinaryWellbeing #PracticeManagement #WorkLifeBalance
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    27 mins
  • Beckie Asked Vet Techs What Makes Them Stay—Here’s What She Heard

    Beckie Asked Vet Techs What Makes Them Stay—Here’s What She Heard
    Jul 22 2026
    Keeping skilled veterinary team members isn’t simply about letting them perform more tasks. In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, explore Beckie’s early University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill doctoral research into what helps credentialed veterinary technicians feel valued, utilized, and more likely to stay. The findings challenge a familiar assumption in veterinary medicine: working at the top of your license is important, but it isn’t enough. Trust, autonomy, inclusion in clinical decisions, meaningful continuing education, and the freedom to apply new skills may matter just as much as the skills themselves. Ernie and Beckie discuss why surgery teams often model this well, how micromanagement can undermine highly capable employees, and why a generous CE budget only works when team members can use what they learn. They also examine the important difference between keeping people busy and helping them feel fulfilled. For veterinarians, technicians, practice managers, and clinic leaders, the episode offers one practical question: Are you deciding that your team feels utilized—or are you asking them? #VeterinaryMedicine #VetTech #VeterinaryLeadership #VetTeamRetention #VeterinaryPracticeCulture
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    25 mins
  • What Vet Teams Need to Know About Compounding with Wedgewood Pharmacy

    What Vet Teams Need to Know About Compounding with Wedgewood Pharmacy
    Jul 15 2026
    Getting medications into pets sounds simple—until the patient refuses the tablet, the dose doesn’t fit, the flavor is a disaster, or the client physically can’t make the plan work. This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, talk with Dr. Rae Hutchins and Dr. Jennifer Merlo from Wedgewood Pharmacy about how veterinary compounding can support better patient care when commercially available medications are not the right fit. The conversation covers where compounding helps most, where it should not replace FDA-approved commercial products, and why quality matters more than convenience or cost. The group also digs into common legal and regulatory confusion, including GFI 256, patient-specific prescriptions, office stock, and why veterinarians should understand their state’s rules. Dr. Hutchins also discusses how Wedgewood Pharmacy has transformed the treatment of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) by providing compounded GS-441524 and Molnupiravir. Credentialed veterinary technicians (CrVTs) get a seat at the table, too, as we discuss how technician insight can improve ordering, education, and real-world medication outcomes, along with how Wedgewood Pharmacy is recognizing CrVTs both internally and externally. Practical, grounded, and clinic-relevant, this episode helps veterinary teams feel more confident using compounding medications as part of thoughtful medical care. #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMed #VetTechLife #CompoundingPharmacy #MedicationCompliance
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    41 mins
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