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.
North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists (NAAVR) - with Debbie Boone, CVPM
A tough job that we often talk about on the Veterinary Viewfinder is the role of a veterinary receptionist, a customer service representative, or whatever you choose to call those invaluable folks up front who are, quite frankly, taking a lot of the hits from our clients.
This week, we’re excited to welcome back to the podcast Debbie Boone, CVPM, one of the co-founders of a new organization dedicated to improving the lives and skills of those folks who are our veterinary receptionists. This week, we want to talk to you about how you can get involved and why this is important for your clinic.
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, MPA, talk with Debbie Boone, CVPM, a co-founder of the North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists (NAAVR) co-founder. Learn how this organization started, what their plans are, and why you should better train your veterinary receptionists!
Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Week 2023 with Founder Ethel Pawlak
It’s Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Week, and we’ve got the person who started it all, Ethel Pawlak! Joins us to celebrate our amazing veterinary receptionists April 23-29 as Veterinary Receptionist Week!
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, are joined by the person who started Veterinary Receptionist Week some nineteen years ago, Ethel Pawlak. We share her story of decades in veterinary practice and why she believes veterinary receptionists deserve their own special week of recognition. We agree!
We discuss why veterinary receptionists (CSRs, etc.) are often unsung heroes in the veterinary profession and how they can make - or break - a veterinary experience.
Dr. Ward advocates for better pay, benefits, training, and support and expresses how a stable veterinary receptionist team can grow your business.
Beckie praises veterinary receptionists' unique skillset and why she believes they are essential for successful patient care and client service.
Viewfinders, how are you celebrating Veterinary Receptionist Week? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas!
Thank you, Ethel Pawlak, for advocating for veterinary receptionists!
The conversations behind the care
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Have a guest or topic idea?
Suggestions, questions, and guest pitches are always welcome. The fastest way to reach the show is by email.