When was the last time you felt truly appreciated at work?

This week on the Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, are joined by Josh Vaisman, MAPPCP (PgD), CCFP, Lead Positive Change Agent, author of Lead to Thrive: The Science of Crafting a Positive Veterinary Culture, and founder of the Flourish Academy.

Together, they ask whether veterinary medicine took the “love languages” idea too far in workplace culture. Not because appreciation doesn’t matter, but because a survey, checklist, or favorite “language” can’t replace real human connection.

Josh explains what recent research suggests about love languages, why appreciation has to be personal and situational, and how small, consistent actions often matter more than big gestures. From noticing when a teammate is overwhelmed, to saying thank you with impact, to repairing after conflict, this episode offers a more practical way to help veterinary teams feel seen, valued, and needed.

Because appreciation isn’t a box to check. It’s a relationship to build.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in veterinary hiring. It is already here, quietly screening resumes, ranking candidates, and influencing who gets interviewed, hired, or never hears back at all. In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Becky Mosser, MPA, RVT, unpack how AI-driven hiring tools are changing the employment landscape across all industries, and it’s starting in veterinary medicine.

From automated resume screeners to algorithm-based candidate rankings, these systems promise efficiency but raise serious concerns about transparency, bias, data privacy, and the loss of human judgment. 

The conversation explores how experienced veterinarians, technicians, and new graduates may be filtered out simply for not speaking the right “keyword language,” and why this creates emotional, professional, and legal risks for practices.

The episode also examines emerging lawsuits challenging AI hiring practices, the ethical implications of data scraping and social media monitoring, and the growing pressure on clinics to adopt these tools without fully understanding how they work. 

For veterinary professionals navigating hiring, leadership, or career transitions, this discussion offers critical insight into what AI can and cannot do, and why maintaining human oversight may be more important than ever.

Western Veterinary Conference 2026 - The Bridge Club Bright Minds Award

Recognition: The Veterinary Viewfinder is honored as a 2026 Bridge Club Bright Minds as the Inaugural Industry Influencer Award recipient.

Join us: February 15, 2026, 10–11 AM, Level 2, Inside Pawp Up at the Western Veterinary Conference, for the award reception and panel discussion.

This week, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor sit down with Elizabeth Watson and Jane Allen Wilson from the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network for one of the most important conversations in veterinary medicine. Domestic violence affects far more veterinary professionals than most realize, yet it remains one of the least discussed workplace safety issues.

Research shows that an estimated 1 in 5 women will experience some form of violence by a partner in their lifetime; chances are, someone listening is facing it right now. 

Through candid discussion, the guests explain how to recognize warning signs in colleagues, clients, and even animal patients. They describe how abusers often isolate victims and use pets as tools of control, why victims hesitate to seek help, and what veterinarians and managers can do when they suspect abuse. The episode explores the practical and legal steps clinics can take, from safety planning to protective orders, to safeguard team members and their clients.

This episode challenges the profession to view domestic violence as both a personal and a workplace concern, urging listeners to foster safer and more supportive veterinary environments.