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

New episodes weekly · On the air since 2016

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Your Hosts

Two perspectives, one profession

Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM

Veterinarian · Author · Advocate

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

Veterinary Technician · Educator

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.

Featured

July 29, 2026

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

July 29, 2026

Why can taking PTO, stepping away during the holidays, leaving on time, or protecting even one hour for yourself feel like letting down your team or the people you love?

This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, unpack the guilt veterinary professionals often carry when they step away from the clinic. Their message is simple: feeling guilty is not the same as being selfish, and discomfort does not mean a boundary is wrong.

Beckie reflects on her own evolution from a “baby technician” who felt she had something to prove to someone who learned that rest and boundaries are worth the initial discomfort. As she reminds listeners, “You can’t expect that free time to just come.” Even five, ten, or fifteen protected minutes can be a meaningful place to begin, and, after taking that time, “you do come back better.”

Ernie shares the lesson that has guided him through decades in veterinary medicine: “If I were trying to protect my time to improve my overall health, that was not selfish. It was essential.” In fact, he makes a strong case for how protecting your well-being can help you better support your family, coworkers, clients, and patients over the long term.

Our hosts also challenge practice owners, managers, medical directors, and teammates to examine the culture surrounding PTO and self-care. Comments like “must be nice” or “I wish I could do that” can turn time spent on personal growth into shame. Thoughtful scheduling, appropriate coverage, and genuine encouragement can make healthy boundaries possible, and business leaders must lead by example.

They also point out that self-care is not limited to vacations or spa days. It may be a walk, a workout, a chapter of a book, a few quiet minutes, or meaningful time with the people you love.

The goal is not perfect balance. It is returning with more energy, patience, and perspective, and building a veterinary career that leaves room for a life beyond the clinic.

Help Beckie Mossor After The Fire

This week, we share difficult news about one of our own. On March 15, Beckie Mossor suffered a devastating house fire that claimed her home, all of her belongings, three beloved pets, and a close friend. There are no words that fully capture the weight of that loss.

Beckie has long been a steady, compassionate voice in our profession. She has shown up for others time and again, offering support, leadership, and care when it was needed most. Now, she and her husband Timmy are facing the unimaginable task of rebuilding their lives from nothing.

If you are able, I ask you to consider supporting Beckie during this time. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps provide stability, essentials, and a path forward.

Donate here:
GoFundMe #1: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-beckie-after-house-fire
GoFundMe #2: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-beckie-timmy-rebuild-after-house-fire

Please keep Beckie and Timmy in your thoughts.

The No-Show Appointment Crisis: Why Vet Clinics Are Getting Ghosted

Veterinary teams everywhere are feeling the strain of rising no-show appointments, especially during the hectic holiday season. This episode examines why clients are ghosting more frequently and what that means for clinic schedules, revenue, and staff morale. Ernie and Becky walk through the real drivers of missed appointments, including financial stress, price shopping, long wait times, and the comfort some clients feel when canceling without calling the clinic.

What makes this conversation useful is its practicality. The episode covers the pros and cons of deposits, how to identify chronic no-show patterns, and when to adjust scheduling habits. You’ll also hear how technology can reduce missed appointments—from “safe exit” text confirmations to automated pre-visit questionnaires—and why these small tools often change client behavior in a meaningful way.

For teams balancing compassion with realistic clinic operations, this episode offers a grounded look at how to protect time, maintain revenue, and reduce frustration without creating unnecessary barriers for clients. It’s an honest, solutions-focused discussion aimed at helping veterinary professionals manage one of the industry’s quieter but most persistent challenges.

The conversations behind the care

Practice culture & leadership

Client communication

Clinical controversy & ethics

Practice finances & the business of medicine

Trending issues & profession news

Technology & the future of care

Veterinary technician careers

Career paths & entrepreneurship

Wellbeing in the profession

Guests, topics & feedback

Have a guest or topic idea?

Suggestions, questions, and guest pitches are always welcome. The fastest way to reach the show is by email.

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