Episodes

  • The Veterinary General Practice Shift: Managing the Surge of Sick and Urgent Care Visits

    The Veterinary General Practice Shift: Managing the Surge of Sick and Urgent Care Visits
    Sep 10 2025
    Veterinary general practice is undergoing a dramatic transformation. What used to be a steady stream of wellness check-ups and minor issues has shifted into a relentless wave of sick pets, urgent care needs, and same-day emergencies. Across the country, clinics are feeling the pressure, and many teams are struggling to keep up. In this week’s episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, break down why this shift is happening and how practices can adapt before burnout sets in. They explore how urgent, unpredictable cases disrupt scheduling, overwhelm support staff, and create an emotionally charged environment that’s exhausting for everyone, from veterinarians to client service representatives. The hosts share practical strategies to regain control, starting with improved team communication: daily huddles to align priorities, triage systems to manage the rush, and debriefs to help staff process tough cases. They also discuss the importance of educating clients and setting realistic expectations to reduce chaos and improve workflow. Whether you’re a practice owner, manager, or team member, this episode offers a clear roadmap for navigating today’s urgent-care-driven landscape. Success isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter together to protect your team, your patients, and your passion for veterinary medicine. #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VetLife #VeterinaryMedicine #VetTechLife #VeterinaryProfession #VetClinicLife #AnimalHealth
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Feedback, Gossip, or Tattletale? Managing Toxic Reporting and Team Morale in Veterinary Practice

    Feedback, Gossip, or Tattletale? Managing Toxic Reporting and Team Morale in Veterinary Practice
    Sep 3 2025
    Many veterinary teams have one: the colleague who runs to management about every minor mistake or late trash bag. But when does necessary reporting turn into destructive tattling? This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack one of the profession’s most frustrating dynamics: coworkers who undermine team culture by excessive fault-finding. Hosts Dr. Ward and vet tech Beckie Mossor examine how tattletale behavior often stems from insecurity, perfectionism, or even underlying issues like OCD, yet still chips away at psychological safety and trust. They discuss the difference between legitimate reporting and gossip, and why managers must address patterns early before morale collapses. Ignoring the issue doesn’t make it go away; it drives good employees out while problem behavior festers. Listeners will learn practical strategies, such as anonymous “concern boxes,” structured feedback models (SBI: Situation, Behavior, Impact), and defining gossip as “talking to someone who can’t solve the problem.” The hosts also share real-life examples where unchecked tattling escalated into fractured teams, cover-ups, and even departures of top performers. Whether you’re a manager navigating a chronic complainer or a technician tired of walking on eggshells, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tools to help you reclaim a healthier clinic culture. Because in veterinary medicine, trust isn’t optional; it’s the foundation of patient care. #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMed #VetClinicLife #VetTechLife #VeterinaryLeadership #ClinicCulture #TeamMorale #FeedbackMatters #NoMoreTattletales #StopTheGossip #HealthyWorkplace #VeterinaryCommunity
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • The September Veterinary Playbook: Suicide Prevention, Sustainability Wins & Kindness That Sticks

    The September Veterinary Playbook: Suicide Prevention, Sustainability Wins & Kindness That Sticks
    Aug 27 2025
    September is a busy time for veterinary teams, and this episode provides a practical roadmap. The Veterinary Viewfinder welcomes Catherine Haskins from “The Bridge Club” to spotlight three profession-wide initiatives you can activate now. First up, Suicide Prevention Month: Haskins shares Project Sticker’s “Change That Sticks” micro-donation campaign and StickWithUs.vet, a single hub aggregating mental health resources across veterinary medicine, along with a reminder that 988 is available when a crisis arises. Teams get a free toolkit (jar labels, social assets, break-room infographic) and motivation to become QPR gatekeepers (free via AVMA). There are even VetFolio subscription rewards for top practices and individual donors. Second, Sustainability September (with Mars Veterinary Health): a daily calendar of bite-size tips, checklists (including a carbon-footprint starter), and evidence that greener choices can improve workflow and save time—from rethinking glove use and sterilization wrap to anesthetic gas scavenging and reusable shipping (e.g., MWI pilots). Finally, a profession-wide Kindness Coalition is taking shape, with academic and industry partners working together to reinforce civility within clinics and with clients. Actionable, optimistic, and team-first, this episode equips leaders and staff to launch meaningful culture and operations changes this month. #VeterinaryMedicine, #VetTechLife, #SuicidePreventionMonth, #SustainableVetMed, #KindnessInVetMed
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Is Veterinary General Practice Dying? Urgent Care Boom, Burnout, and How GPs Can Adapt

    Is Veterinary General Practice Dying? Urgent Care Boom, Burnout, and How GPs Can Adapt
    Aug 20 2025
    Is Veterinary General Practice Dying? On this week’s Veterinary Viewfinder, veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward and credentialed veterinary technician, Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, ask the question many teams are whispering. Routine wellness is slipping while urgent and ER traffic rises. The hosts dig into what is driving the shift: cost sensitivity, weekday access barriers, and changing client expectations after COVID. They explain why prevention must mean more than vaccines and a fecal test, and how to reframe value around early disease detection, chronic care, and client outcomes. Our hosts discuss some practical fixes you can try: add short sick-visit blocks without disrupting the schedule, pilot limited urgent-care hours, rotate doctors to conserve energy, and coach teams for tougher conversations and better handoffs. They also share ways to keep pets from “ping-ponging” across town by coordinating with nearby clinics. The goal is not to turn back the clock. It is to meet current demand while keeping general veterinary medicine strong, margins healthy, and staff morale intact. #VeterinaryViewfinder #VetMed #VeterinaryMedicine #VeterinaryPodcast #GeneralPractice #UrgentCare #PreventiveCare #AccessToCare #PracticeManagement #ClientCommunication #VeterinaryTeam #ContinuingEducation
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • Pet Doctor or Pet Owner’s Therapist? Navigating Emotional Labor in Vet Med

    Pet Doctor or Pet Owner’s Therapist? Navigating Emotional Labor in Vet Med
    Aug 13 2025
    Being a veterinarian is about caring for animals… right? Increasingly, many vets feel their role is shifting toward being a therapist for pet owners, and it’s taking a toll. In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, explore the growing emotional labor demands placed on veterinary professionals. From helping clients navigate grief, guilt, and financial stress, to managing unrealistic expectations fueled by social media, veterinarians are spending more and more time counseling pet owners instead of focusing exclusively on clinical care. Dr. Ward reflects on the hidden burnout risk of constant emotional support, while Beckie shares how technicians also shoulder the weight of client emotions, often without formal training or resources. They discuss whether veterinary schools and practices are adequately preparing teams for this counseling role, the blurred boundaries between empathy and overextension, and how this shift impacts mental health, job satisfaction, and retention. Most importantly, they offer strategies for setting healthy boundaries while still delivering compassionate and effective care. If you’ve ever felt more like a life coach than a clinician—or wondered why today’s veterinary job feels so emotionally heavy—this episode will resonate.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • "Don’t Do It”? The Danger of Gatekeeping the Veterinary Profession, and Why It’s Time to Stop

    "Don’t Do It”? The Danger of Gatekeeping the Veterinary Profession, and Why It’s Time to Stop
    Aug 6 2025
    Too many aspiring veterinary professionals are met with a troubling response: “Don’t do it.” In this episode, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, take a hard look at how that knee-jerk negativity, often voiced by those still in the field, may be harming the future of veterinary medicine. With decades of combined experience, Dr. Ward and Beckie reflect on their own paths and push back against the cynicism that’s become all too common in comment sections and break rooms alike. They discuss how burnout, poor clinic culture, and a lack of autonomy can fuel dissatisfaction, and how mentorship, perspective, and opportunity can reignite passion. This episode challenges us to reconsider who we listen to, what messages we share, and how, as a profession, we might be deterring incredible talent. Do we hate our profession, or just our current job or role? And if we love the profession, why aren't we louder about it? Whether you're a seasoned veterinarian, a burned-out veterinary technician, or a curious student, this conversation is a call to stop gatekeeping and start supporting.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Regulation Without Representation? Why Credentialed Vet Techs Need Seats on State Veterinary Boards

    Regulation Without Representation? Why Credentialed Vet Techs Need Seats on State Veterinary Boards
    Jul 30 2025
    Credentialed veterinary technicians are pillars of modern veterinary care, but in most U.S. states, they’re excluded from the very boards that govern their profession. This week on The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, break down why this lack of representation is not just outdated, it’s dangerous for workforce development, public health, and the long-term sustainability of veterinary medicine. Beckie shares that only 20 U.S. states have even one credentialed technician on their state veterinary medical board, and even then, some are not voting members. She highlights how token roles can feel more performative than powerful, contributing to burnout, disillusionment, and underutilization of skilled professionals. Beckie draws attention to the legal implications, invoking precedents such as Reynolds v. Sims to question whether boards lacking proportional representation may be skating on thin constitutional ground. Together, our hosts challenge the assumption that only veterinarians should hold regulatory authority and make a compelling case for multidisciplinary governance that mirrors the evolution of healthcare in human medicine and nursing. This episode offers a blueprint for a more equitable and effective future, one where credentialed veterinary technicians have real influence, veterinary boards are more accountable, and the entire profession benefits from smarter, more inclusive leadership.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Who’s Protecting Vet Assistants? The Push for Credentialing, and the Oversight Gap

    Who’s Protecting Vet Assistants? The Push for Credentialing, and the Oversight Gap
    Jul 23 2025
    As some states roll out veterinary assistant credentialing programs, a critical question emerges: Who’s actually overseeing these initiatives, what are their future goals, and are they helping or hurting the profession? In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, examine the growing movement to credential veterinary assistants without consistent regulatory oversight, clear practice act integration, or protections for the assistants themselves. Focusing on emerging programs in states like Texas, Ward and Mossor question whether we're building sustainable career pathways or setting assistants up for burnout and backlash. Are financial incentives for third-party training programs taking priority over educational quality and long-term workforce needs? And how do these new assistant titles intersect (or conflict) with existing RVT, LVT, and CVT credentials? This conversation challenges veterinary professionals, educators, and policymakers to consider what genuine credentialing should entail: regulated, inclusive, and grounded in a framework that supports the entire team. Without structure and oversight, well-meaning reforms can deepen division, confuse the public, and erode trust within clinics. If you care about career advancement, team cohesion, and the future of veterinary support staff, this is a conversation you can’t afford to ignore.
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins