Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

Recent Episodes

1. The New Vet Med Job Isn’t What They Promised. Now What?

   Aug 26, 2026

   Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor discuss what happens when a new veterinary job fails to match expectations within days of starting. They explore the emotional and financial barriers that trap employees in mismatched roles, the importance of early onboarding as a warning sign, and practical steps for both employees and managers to address the mismatch through direct conversation and clear timelines.

2. Clickbait, Mistrust, and the Veterinary Team Divide

   Aug 19, 2026

   Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, examine how clickbait and rage-bait framing in veterinary media deepens mistrust across veterinary teams. Using an article about employee theft as a case study, they discuss how headlines that pit employers against employees, front versus back, and corporate versus independent practices damage workplace culture and professional unity. They argue that while safeguards and accountability are necessary, the language and framing used to communicate these issues can either build collaboration or reinforce adversarial relationships.

3. Mini Cows, Backyard Chickens, and the Veterinary Care Gap

   Aug 12, 2026

   Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, explore the growing trend of backyard livestock and exotic pets—miniature cows, chickens, goats—being kept in suburban homes and the veterinary care gap this creates. They discuss the risks of social media influencers filling the void left by unprepared veterinarians, the strain on already-overwhelmed large animal practitioners, and practical strategies for small animal clinics to serve this emerging market through targeted continuing education, basic equipment, team training, and strong referral networks. The conversation emphasizes that this gap represents both a professional responsibility and a genuine business opportunity for practices willing to invest.

4. Ghosted by a Vet Practice? There’s a Website for That.

   Aug 5, 2026

   Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, discuss the emerging phenomenon of websites where job candidates publicly report veterinary practices that ghost them after interviews. They explore hiring communication best practices, the economic and emotional impact of post-interview silence on candidates, and the reputational risks employers face in a small profession where word-of-mouth and online reports now shape hiring culture.

5. Boundaries Aren’t Selfish—They Keep You in Vet Med

   Jul 29, 2026

   Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, discuss the guilt veterinary professionals often experience when setting boundaries around time off, PTO, and self-care. They explore how boundaries are essential, not selfish, and examine the role of workplace culture in either supporting or undermining employee well-being. The conversation emphasizes that consistent self-care—even in small increments—improves performance and longevity in veterinary medicine.

6. Beckie Asked Vet Techs What Makes Them Stay—Here’s What She Heard

   Jul 22, 2026

   Beckie Mossor, RVT MPA, discusses early findings from her Ed.D. research at UNC Chapel Hill on veterinary technician utilization and retention. Her qualitative focus group research challenges the assumption that working at the top of license is sufficient, revealing that trust, autonomy, inclusion in clinical decisions, and meaningful continuing education matter as much as technical skills themselves. The episode explores how surgery teams model this well, why micromanagement undermines capable employees, and the distinction between keeping staff busy versus helping them feel fulfilled.

7. What Vet Teams Need to Know About Compounding with Wedgewood Pharmacy

   Jul 15, 2026

   Dr. Rae Hutchins, Chief Veterinary Officer at Wedgewood Pharmacy, and Dr. Jennifer Merlo, newly joined to the education team, discuss how veterinary compounding pharmacies can personalize medication delivery for patients when commercial options don't fit patient needs. The conversation covers quality assurance standards, regulatory compliance including GFI 256 clarification, and real-world applications—particularly the transformative impact of compounded treatments for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). The guests emphasize that compounding is not a cost-cutting alternative but a clinical tool requiring rigorous science, proper sourcing, and veterinarian-led leadership.

8. When Clients Ask AI Before They Ask You

   Jul 8, 2026

   Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, discuss the growing phenomenon of pet owners using AI platforms like ChatGPT to self-diagnose their pets before veterinary visits. Rather than dismissing AI-generated information, they advocate for veterinary teams to embrace client curiosity, validate their research efforts, and redirect conversations toward the irreplaceable value of physical examination and clinical judgment. The hosts provide communication strategies to transform potentially adversarial AI discussions into collaborative problem-solving opportunities.