Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

14 episodes scanned.

Recent Episodes

1. Credentialed Vet Techs Earned Their Week. So Why Are We Debating It?

   Oct 14, 2026

   Co-hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, discuss the ongoing debate over whether National Veterinary Technician Week should recognize only credentialed veterinary technicians or the entire clinic team. They also cover the length of the observance, with Mossor arguing for a focused single day paired with a week of client and professional education. The conversation touches on how recognition shapes team culture, workforce shortages, and the cost of celebrations in clinics.

2. WORLD PET OBESITY MONTH: WHAT YOUR VETERINARY TEAM CAN DO

   Oct 7, 2026

   Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor discuss World Pet Obesity Month and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention's (APOP) 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey. The episode covers how veterinary clinics can participate, incentives ($50 stipend for 15+ submissions), and the importance of capturing owner perception of pet body condition. Ward and Mossor also introduce APOP's updated 2026 Pet Obesity Communication Guidelines and free clinical tools including body condition scoring resources, weight loss calculators, and exam room communication training scenarios.

3. Neurodivergence in Vet Med: What Actually Helps

   Sep 30, 2026

   Ron Sosa, CVPM and neurodiversity advocate, returns to discuss practical tools and support systems for neurodivergent veterinary professionals. The conversation covers executive function, masking, imposter syndrome, and his C.O.S.T. framework (chronic self-monitoring, over-adaptation, self-criticism, tension), alongside emerging research suggesting 50% or more of general practice veterinarians are neurodivergent. Sosa shares details about his community platform featuring body doubling, peer coaching, and neuro-inclusive leadership resources designed to normalize neurodivergence in veterinary workplaces.

4. Vet Tech Week: Oct 18-24, 2026 Celebrate the Credentials. Support the Career.

   Sep 23, 2026

   Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, discuss National Veterinary Technician Week (October 18–24, 2026) and highlight new resources from the American Association of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians (AACVT). Beckie shares practical toolkits for advocacy, title protection, career development, mobile veterinary care, resume building, raise negotiation, and interview preparation. The conversation emphasizes celebrating credentialed technicians while respecting all clinic team members, and previews AACVT's upcoming liability insurance for in-home care technicians.

5. Same Pet, Different Calorie Needs: Feeding After Spay or Neuter to Prevent Pet Obesity

   Sep 16, 2026

   Dr. Yuki Okada, board-certified veterinary nutritionist and Virbac's Veterinary Medicine and Nutrition Manager, discusses the nutritional challenges and prevention strategies for pet obesity following spay and neuter procedures. The episode covers the physiological changes post-sterilization—including increased appetite (20-60%) and decreased activity (up to 60%)—and explains why early intervention with specialized nutrition, portion control, and treat management is critical. Dr. Okada details Virbac's VETERINARY HPM® Spayed & Neutered diet formulation, which uses high-quality animal-origin protein to preserve lean muscle while managing caloric intake in growing pets, and discusses complementary mobility and muscle-preservation strategies.

6. We Help Clients Grieve. Who Helps the Vet Team?

   Sep 9, 2026

   Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor explore how veterinary teams process grief and emotional trauma when patients are euthanized, moving beyond client support to focus on staff wellbeing. They discuss specific cases that hit hardest—longtime patients and those saved through intensive care—and share practical strategies including memory-sharing during staff meetings, shared journals for emotional processing, and involvement of veterinary social workers. The episode emphasizes proactive scheduling, autonomy for team members, and creating safe spaces to acknowledge loss rather than using dark humor to suppress it.

7. Fear Sells: Is Vet Med Marketing Making Problems Feel Bigger?

   Sep 2, 2026

   Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, examine fear-based marketing in veterinary medicine, using a real technology company ad claiming missed calls drive ER visits as their starting point. They explore how anxiety-inducing messaging around urgency and failure can damage team morale and push practices toward solutions before understanding root problems. The hosts advocate for data-driven problem-solving and intentional purchasing decisions that prioritize team well-being over fear-driven sales tactics.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.