This week, our hosts travel to the annual American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convention in Austin, Texas. Discover the heated debates and critical updates on veterinary medical ethics arising from the AVMA’s House of Delegates approval of a recently revised Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (PVME).

Join hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Becky Mosser, MPA, RVT, as they delve into some of the changes to the PVME that they believe will affect many veterinary professionals.

Our duo starts by discussing the newly-introduced ethical usage by veterinarians of the term “veterinary technician,” some significant changes to the ethical definition of “evidence-based medicine,” why the omission of a single one matters to them, and the controversial topic of animal depopulation and ventilation shutdown (VSD+) receives an ethical okay from the AVMA HOD.

Viewfinders, we hope these conversations continue to propel our profession forward. We want to thank our colleagues at the AVMA Executive Board and HOD for their work, regardless of their opinions, and welcome the opportunity to share different perspectives on the issues that affect the veterinary profession.

This week, we’re proud to introduce you to an extraordinary veterinary technician, Sam Geiling, CVT. Sam has just been named the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) Technician of the Year! Viewfinders, her journey is exceptional and sure to inspire!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, talk to Sam Geiling, CVT, and Chief of Staff for the Animal Policy Group, about her career in veterinary medicine and some of her remarkable achievements. From serving in the Navy to being a classmate of Beckie’s in vet tech school to practicing and teaching in Hawaii, to working with state legislatures and veterinary boards around the country, Sam is a vet tech force to be reckoned with! 

Viewfinders, we hope you enjoy her amazing story as much as we did! 

If your social media is anything like ours, you’ve seen a lot of questions and concerns about the upcoming National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) Board of Directors elections. You may have also been following Veterinarians Against Ventilation Shutdown (vavsd.org (http://vavsd.org)) and their efforts to have the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reclassify ventilation shutdown, which uses a form of heatstroke to kill pigs and chickens. This week we discuss these issues and why you should care about how our membership-led professional organizations operate. Viewfinders, this is another hot topic all veterinary professionals need to know about! (And find out why Dr. Ward made Beckie cry!)

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, discuss why Beckie is running for NAVTA President and what the latest controversy is about. Beckie stresses the need for all veterinary professionals to get involved with their professional organizations and why change often takes longer than you’d like. Ernie offers advice on how professional organizations can get members more involved and why he continues to support a democratic and bureaucratic process, despite not winning his position on several topics (telemedicine and ventilation shutdown, for example.)

Viewfinders, if you’re a NAVTA member, be sure to vote before December 31, 2022. Dr. Ward shares why he believes this may be the most important election in recent history. Good luck, Beckie! 

National Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week is October 16-22, 2022. This week we celebrate our amazing licensed veterinary technicians! The “backbone,” “heart,” or “insert organ system of your choice here” of veterinary medicine!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, take time this week to talk about the invaluable contributions veterinary technicians make to the veterinary profession. Our hosts share tips on how you can recognize your vet techs, why they deserve a whole year of celebrations, and how to attract more great folks to the vet tech profession.

The pair also discuss their views on “resilience” and some of its associated risks as this year’s theme.

Viewfinders, we hope you’ll take time to do something special for your vet techs from October 16-22, 2022. If you do, please share it on our Instagram or Facebook pages! If you have questions or ideas for future podcasts, email us at veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com.