Tackling the toughest topics in veterinary medicine
The Veterinary
Viewfinder
Candid conversations on the issues shaping veterinary medicine.
Hosted by Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM & Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT
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Two perspectives, one profession
Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM
Dr. Ernie Ward is a veterinarian, author, and longtime advocate for pets and the veterinary profession. Based in coastal North Carolina, he founded the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention in 2005 and the World Pet Obesity Association in 2024, pairing public education for pet owners with clinical standards for veterinary teams.
An author and a familiar voice across national media, Ernie is known for putting the profession’s hardest conversations front and center. Since 2016, he and Beckie have co-hosted the Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast, a weekly show that digs into the toughest and most controversial topics in veterinary medicine, features leading voices in the field, and looks for practical answers to the challenges veterinary teams face.
Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT
Beckie is a Credentialed Veterinary Technician from Southport, NC, and founding director of the American Association of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians, where she has shaped national conversations on technician utilization, representation on veterinary medical boards, and equity in veterinary organizational structures.
Her work has been published in professional outlets, and she presents internationally on the intersections of veterinary medicine, leadership, and advocacy. She is proud to be the first credentialed veterinary technician to serve on the WSAVA Professional Wellness Committee.
Beckie also co-founded the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterinary professionals through financial hardship, and has co-hosted the Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast for nearly a decade — bringing candid, often provocative conversations and fierce advocacy to the profession.
National Veterinary Technician Week is Oct 15-21, 2023
This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Veterinary Technician Week! We’ve got the President-Elect of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), Beckie Mossor, RVT, to tell us what you need to know and do!
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss this year’s National Vet Tech Week theme, “Pearls of Wisdom,” and what it means to them.
Our hosts share their top tips for celebrating your registered veterinary technicians and how you can avoid practice drama over not observing others. Yes, we go there.
Dr. Ward shares his tips on using social media to hire vet techs, and Beckie offers tips on using social media to recognize your vet techs’ awesomeness! Bonus hiring and celebration tips are included!
We’d also like to publicly recognize NAVTA and Hill’s Pet Nutrition for their 30 years of commitment to National Veterinary Technician Week. Thank you!
To learn more, visit: https://navta.net/national-veterinary-technician-week/
Life Lessons from a Vet Tech Leader - Paige A. Allen, MS, RVT
This week we’re proud to bring you a conversation with a fundamental change agent within the veterinary profession, Paige A. Allen, MS, RVT. Paige has guided both veterinary technician organizations and held the highest office in the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) - FOR TWO TERMS! This week she shares her story and vision for the future of veterinary medicine. Prepare to be inspired!
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss how Paige became interested in the veterinary technician profession, her progression as a leader, and what changes she thinks the next generation of veterinary technicians (and veterinarians) needs to make to improve veterinary practice. From title protection to the term “veterinary nurse” to her experiences of being told she couldn’t become a veterinarian “because she was a woman,” this conversation will brighten your day!
Viewfinders, share this podcast with someone who needs a lift or is facing a challenge. Hopefully, you’ll find the nudge you need to make positive changes in your world after listening!
About Paige Allen, MS, RVT
Paige started her career in 1984 in a mixed animal practice in Nebraska. In 1986, she came to Purdue University, where she held several positions in Purdue’s Veterinary Hospital, including Food Animal Technician, Large Animal Anesthesia/Surgery Technician, and Director of Central Supply. She helped to start Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program and is now the Assistant Director for Academic Advising for Purdue’s Veterinary Nursing Program. She has a fantastic husband, three outstanding children, and five terrific grandchildren! Darrell and Paige live in the country and have two cats, Mac & Cheese. She is always looking for new adventures and challenges, personally and professionally.
More Money, More Problems - Let's Talk about the 2022 NAVTA Demographics Survey
The 2022 NAVTA Demographics survey was released during VMX 2023. This week we discuss the findings, actions we can take, and questions for the future.
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and President-Elect of NAVTA, Beckie Mossor, RVT, take a deep dive into the findings of this critical survey. The last demographics survey was conducted in 2016, and, wow, some things have changed - and others remained, sadly, the same.
The survey results revealed the following highlights:
• The average Veterinary Technician is earning 25% more than in 2016.
• More than 70% of Veterinary Technicians have an Associates’ degree, up 16% from 2016.
• More than 1/3 of Veterinary Technicians have student loan debt, averaging $29,700/person.
• One-third of Veterinary Technicians have a second job, most often at full-time.
Viewfinders, this is an important discussion for the veterinary profession. We encourage you to share it with your colleagues, discuss your thoughts, and get involved!
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